ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India found themselves in a water rights row yesterday after the former objected to the construction of three hydropower projects by the latter on the Chenab River. The development comes on the heels of a partial award on Indias Kishanganga Dam by the International Court of Arbitration in Pakistans favour.
Sources said both countries are set to conduct talks over the three projects today. An Indian technical team, led by the water commissioner, will arrive in Lahore today to meet the Pakistani team, led by Indus Water Commissioner Asif Baig.
Sources said Pakistan had raised objections over the designs of the 850MW Rattle, 120MW Miyar and 48MW Lower Karnai hydropower projects after they were shared by India.
The 850MW Rattle plant was originally designed as a 690MW plant. Its size was increased following revised water flow studies by the Indian Central Water Commission. The project has been approved by the Indian Ministry of Environment.
New Delhi has awarded the contract for the Miyar plant on the right bank of the Chenab, near Udaipur town.
While the rival nations are expected to try and defuse the row over the three projects, water issues are expected to worsen as India plans to construct 155 hydropower projects on the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers.
According to the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960, Pakistan was allowed to use the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers and India to use Ravi, Sutlej and Beas
Pakistan, India in water row
Sources said both countries are set to conduct talks over the three projects today. An Indian technical team, led by the water commissioner, will arrive in Lahore today to meet the Pakistani team, led by Indus Water Commissioner Asif Baig.
Sources said Pakistan had raised objections over the designs of the 850MW Rattle, 120MW Miyar and 48MW Lower Karnai hydropower projects after they were shared by India.
The 850MW Rattle plant was originally designed as a 690MW plant. Its size was increased following revised water flow studies by the Indian Central Water Commission. The project has been approved by the Indian Ministry of Environment.
New Delhi has awarded the contract for the Miyar plant on the right bank of the Chenab, near Udaipur town.
While the rival nations are expected to try and defuse the row over the three projects, water issues are expected to worsen as India plans to construct 155 hydropower projects on the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers.
According to the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960, Pakistan was allowed to use the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers and India to use Ravi, Sutlej and Beas
Pakistan, India in water row