ISLAMABAD: During the first round of Pak-India talk over the violation of Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan objected to two controversial water repositories also hydro-power projects that are taken by India on Chenab River.
Pakistani officials informed the Indian delegates in Islamabad this evening that they had objections over the designs of Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai hydropower plants.
Pak-officials demanded a reduction in height of Pakal Dul Dam by 5 metres and asked for elevating gates of Pakal Dul spillway by 40 metres further above the sea-level.
Since 2013, the two countries have held talks on these projects at least seven times. The second round of the ongoing talks would be held on Thursday.
The nine-member Indian delegation was headed by Indian Water Commissioner PK Saxena and reached Pakistan via Wagah border a day earlier, whereas the Pakistani delegation was headed by Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Meher Ali Shah.
Since India has undertaken the projects on Chenab River, it is violating the Indus Water Treaty signed between the two countries.
Earlier it was reported that Indian officials confirmed their country’s stance by placing spillway of 1,000 megawatts of Pakal Dul Dam on Chenab River in Indian-occupied Kashmir, about 15 metres down against the permissible limit.
This will give the country undue leverage of holding 11,000 acres of water in addition to allowed volume of water storage.
India wanted to establish water storage capacity of 88,000 acre feet on Chenab River with the setting up of Pakal Dul dam.
