Pakistan protests ‘unilateral’ construction of Uri-II project

[Neo]

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Pakistan protests ‘unilateral’ construction of Uri-II project

* Asks for construction to be halted till full engineering update is provided

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: Pakistan formally lodged a protest on Friday against the “unilateral” construction of a 240-MW Uri-II hydel power project on river Jhelum in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian and Pakistani delegations led by their water commissioners have been engaged in dialogue here for the past two days in the bi-annual joint Indus Commission meeting.

Sources privy to the meeting said that Pakistan has agreed to allow Indian experts to visit Neelam Valley to collect data on the water needs in AJK to redesign the 330-MW Kishanganga project. So far, India has been relying on satellite data to defend the design of the project, which is to be established on River Neelam near Bandipora in Kashmir Valley.

Pakistan Water Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah demanded a full engineering update on the Uri-II project and asked for discontinuation of construction till the issue is resolved. Pakistan’s concerns were mainly on the height and gates of the dam as well as the poundage level and free board.

While committing to provide full engineering data, the Indian delegation led by Commissioner Thareja agreed to hold a conclusive meeting on the Uri-II project in August-September this year. “We have asked for a time-bound resolution of this issue as Pakistan cannot afford to fritter away time on water issues,” said Shah after Friday’s deliberations.

Pakistan said, while India had redesigned Kishanganga project to address environmental concerns, it still envisages a diversion of Neelam river to Wullar Lake, rendering little water for Neelam Valley in AJK. “Besides affecting our agricultural usage, the diversion of the river could be an environmental disaster for lush green AJK,” Shah added.

Shah asked India to show identical environmental concerns towards the AJK as they have towards its controlled side while redesigning the project. India, however, contested Pakistan’s claim that Neelam Valley would turn into a desert or that little water would be left for the agricultural use. Indian Water Commissioner Thareja presented satellite-generated data to argue that Pakistan will get enough water to sustain its agriculture.

He said the dam’s design had a provision to release more water to AJK, but the decision will be taken only if Pakistan ascertains its needs for hydro-electric and agriculture usage. He asked Pakistan to permit Indian experts to visit the other side of the Line of Control (LoC) to collect data on the usage of water in AJK. Pakistan agreed to allow an Indian team to visit Neelam Valley later this year.

Pakistan also complained about embankments on River Ravi near Narewal in Punjab. India defended these embankments, saying they were for flood protection, adding that Pakistan had also constructed such structures at various locations. It was decided that both countries would provide details of such embankments to each other. No new constructions are permitted under the Indus Water Treaty.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\02\story_2-6-2007_pg7_40

 

[ahussains]

They are try to stop the water soucre of pakistan and never obey the Sindh Tass agrement by the World Bank ...

 

[Always Neutral]

The point that most important fresh water resources originate in the Kashmir area, I think is the real reason India, Pakistan or for that matter China will never agree to a free an independant Kashmir consisting of the Azad Kashmir, IOK, The Northern Areas and the part occupied by China. The Republic of Free Kashmir will remain a pipe dream. All the crocodile tears shed over the right to self determination of the Kashmiris done in public by all concerned are probably false. I think India has a slight edge over Pakistan as far as Indus Water treaty is concerned view the neutral arbitrator in the previous Baghliar case decided that from the silting point of view the spill ways are required but refused to address in some ways the concern of Pakistan that in war / tension the closure of spilways could be used as a bargaining point against Pakistan. Infact the arbitrator said that his decision was solely based on designs of dams and he was not in position to consider the other issue of closure of spillways during wars as those were political. I think India will now go ahead boldly and construct more dam projects in Kashmir. I thinks its time Pakistan instead of opposing the the dam construction should strive to get a clause included in the IWT that in times of conflict a neutral body will monitor these inter - country rivers.

Regards

 

[Awesome]

Actually we have no fears with an independent Kashmir blocking our water supply. We don't trust India, and in fact its already trying to block our water supply. No doubts about it.

 

[Always Neutral]

Actually we have no fears with an independent Kashmir blocking our water supply. We don't trust India, and in fact its already trying to block our water supply. No doubts about it.

Dear Asim,

The ground realities I see are

Both Pakistan and India are heavily dependant on the rivers and monsoons.

The 6 rivers in question all originate in Indian Controlled territory.

India is not going to give up its control of IOK.

UN, OIC, Superpowers past and present will not get involved.

EU Parliament has adopted a slightly biased Kashmir Report in which though the normal things like human rights violation both in Azad Kashmir or IOK etc are mentioned but it also clearly says Plebicite is not possible. So I dont think they will help the Kashmiris.

China is also unlikely to give up its part of Kashmir. (also mentioned in the EU report)

India will build more dams with gated spillways and probably misuse their advantage during war / heightened tensions.

While small Kargil type skirmishes may take place in future between India and Pakistan no large wars will take place nor will there be any major territorial gain or losses between india and Pakistan.

The Kashmiris in the valley are not strong enough to force the Indians out. Jammu and Ladhak will remain pro India. I am not sure about the Nothern Areas as its hard to get permission to visit that place.

Given the above present scenarios / realities what should Pakistan do to ensure that they are not short changed in the IWT ?

Regards

 

[Awesome]

So the ultimate reality is we have to fight for Kashmir and the world better shut up about it like they did when India occupied Kashmir.

 

[Always Neutral]

Dear Asim,

Thank you for the prompt reply. Could not Pakistan just get OIC, China, EU etc put pressure on India to never misuse the IWT during wars instead of going to war ? Pakistan will have a higher moral position and end up the winner. No one likes an international treaty to be broken.

Regards