Two projects in J&K fully compliant with Indus Water Treaty, India tells Pakistan

New Delhi: India has conveyed to Pakistan that two hydro projects — Pakal Dul (1000 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW) in Jammu and Kashmir, are fully compliant with the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty.

During the meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) comprising of Indus Commissioners of India and Pakistan which was held on March 23-24, 2021 in New Delhi, India provided technical data in support of its position.

India is building the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project on river Marusudar, a tributary of the Chenab. The project is located in the Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir. The second project, Lower Kalnai, is being developed on the Chenab river.

Pakistan had earlier expressed concerns over these two projects.

“Discussions continued on designs of two Indian projects, namely, Pakal Dul (1000 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW). Indian side held that these projects are fully compliant with the provisions of the Treaty and provided technical data in support of its position”, the release from the Ministry of External Affairs issued on Wednesday night.

“Pakistan side requested India for sharing of information on design of other Indian hydropower projects being planned to be developed. Indian side assured that the information will be supplied as and when required to be supplied under the provisions of the Treaty,” the release said.

The meeting was held in a cordial manner. Both the Commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to interact more frequently in an attempt to resolve the issues by bilateral discussions under the Treaty. It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the PIC in Pakistan on mutually convenient dates, the release added.

This was the first meeting between the two commissioners after the scrapping of Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), the two commissioners meet at least once a year, alternately in India and Pakistan. The last meeting took place in Lahore in August 2018.

Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, all the water of the eastern rivers — Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi amounting to around 33 million acre feet (MAF) annually — is allocated to India for unrestricted use. The waters of western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — amounting to around 135 MAF annually has been assigned largely to Pakistan.

According to the Treaty, India has been given the right to generate hydroelectricity by running river projects on the western rivers subject to specific criteria for design and operation. The Treaty also gives the right to Pakistan to raise objections on the design of Indian hydroelectric projects on western rivers. (Agency)