SSC
The Kishanganga (Neelum) river, on which India built a hydroelectric project disputed by Pakistan, is a major tributary of the:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)View answer ▾Hide ▴
Answer: Option D — Jhelum
Detailed Solution
The Kishanganga, called the Neelum in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is a tributary of the Jhelum river.
Course of the Kishanganga:
- It rises near the Krishnasar Lake in the Sonamarg area of Kashmir.
- It flows north and west through the Gurez valley in India.
- It crosses the Line of Control into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where it is called the Neelum.
- It joins the Jhelum near Muzaffarabad.
- Its length is about 245 km.
Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project:
- India built the 330 MW Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir.
- It diverts water from the Kishanganga through a tunnel about 23 km long to a power station, from where the water flows into the Wular Lake area and the Jhelum system.
- It was inaugurated in 2018.
The dispute:
- Pakistan objected under the Indus Waters Treaty, since it was building its own Neelum-Jhelum project downstream.
- In 2013, the Court of Arbitration at The Hague allowed India to divert water for the project but required it to maintain a minimum flow downstream.
- Further disputes over the Kishanganga and Ratle projects were being heard by a neutral expert and the Court of Arbitration.
About the Jhelum:
- It rises from a spring in the south-eastern part of the Kashmir Valley.
- It flows north-west through Srinagar and Wular Lake.
- It then flows through a deep gorge towards Baramulla and into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where it receives the Kishanganga.
- It then enters Pakistan and joins the Chenab.
In ancient times, it was called the Vitasta, and the Greeks called it the Hydaspes. The Battle of the Hydaspes between Alexander and King Porus (326 BCE) took place on its banks.
Under the Indus Waters Treaty, the Jhelum, along with the Indus and Chenab, is one of the western rivers whose waters were largely allotted to Pakistan.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The Tawi flows past Jammu, and the Ravi and Beas are other rivers of the Indus system; the Kishanganga joins the Jhelum.
Quick tip
Remember: Kishanganga (Neelum in PoK) = tributary of the Jhelum; 330 MW project in Bandipora (2018); Jhelum = ancient Vitasta/Hydaspes.
💬 Discussions on this question
Ask a doubt ›Still stuck on this question? Ask our faculty and fellow students — answers appear here.
Ask a doubtMore Indian States & Union Territories Questions
View all ›More General Knowledge Questions
- Q1.The techniques of Rasa and Bhava used in Indian classical dance trace their origin to which ancient text?Indian Dance Forms
- Q2.Lavani, Powada, Koli, Waghya Murali and Dhangari Gaja are folk dances of which state?Indian Dance Forms
- Q3.The one-act play associated with the Sattriya tradition of Assam is called:Indian Dance Forms
- Q4.Which dance form of Goa is known as the 'Warrior Dance'?Indian Dance Forms
- Q5.Manipuri dance is based on the Rasleela themes of:Indian Dance Forms
Indian States & Union Territories — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Indian States & Union Territories, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers state-wise GK for India: capitals, formation dates, high courts, state animals, birds and flowers, famous places, and the culture, dances and festivals that identify each state and union territory. Questions commonly ask about the newest state or union territory, the state formed on a particular date, the capitals of states, and which high court serves more than one state. Keep a single table per state with its capital, formation year and key facts. Reorganisations such as that of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 change the answers, so make sure your notes are up to date. Practise the Indian states and union territories questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.