Meeting ends in stalemate

SAFDAR RASHEED

LAHORE: The meeting of Pakistan-India Indus Water Commissioners has ended in a stalemate, as India bluntly refused to make any change in its stance over four hydropower projects being built on Chenab River in Indian held Kashmir.

Talking to reporters, Indus water commissioner, Asif Baig Mirza said “We have decided to go for International court of justice (ICJ).”

The final futile round of talks was held here on Tuesday and the Indian delegation headed by K Vohra Indus Water Commissioner, is leaving for New Delhi today (Wednesday). The Indian delegation arrived here on Saturday for five days visit.

In the last two meetings, Pakistan raised serious objections to four hydropower projects being constructed by India on River Chenab in Occupied Kashmir, and called for modification of their designs to meet the requirement of the agreement between the two countries but it was all in vain because India did not agree to it.

The reservations about the designs were expressed by a Pakistani Indus water commissioner Asif Baig Mirza.

Pakistan Indus water Commissioner raised objection to the sites of 850MW Ratle, 1,000MW Pakal Dul, 120MW Miyar and the 48MW Lower Kalnai hydropower projects. The talks between the two commissions which mandatory to be held every year started after break of two years.

Sources told Business Recorder that the Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner termed the projects design parameters a violation of the Indus Water Treaty.

It is pertinent to mention here that India has started work on Ratle hydropower project of 850MW while contract negotiations with lower bidders on three other sites are underway.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan had asked for changes in the design with especially reference to the spillways and poundage, which affects the intake location. Intake of water should go up, spillways are low in elevation

It is worth mentioning here that the designs of these projects were provided by India more than a year ago. Pakistan has been asking India to provide information of its projects at the planning state but India did not do so under the Indus Treaty.

Under the provision of the Indus Water Treaty 1960, the waters of the eastern rivers Sutlej, Beas and Ravi have been allocated to India and the western rivers Indus, Jhelum and Chenab have been allocated to Pakistan except for certain uses allowed to India which include generation of hydro power through run of the river plants.