news details |
|
|
| World Bank expert clears Baglihar power project | | | NEW DELHI, FEB 12
A World Bank-appointed neutral expert today cleared the Baglihar Power Project over river Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir but asked India to reduce the height of the dam by one and half metre, one of the objections raised by Pakistan.
Raymond Lafitte, in his final report handed over to Indian and Pakistani diplomats in Bern, Switzerland, overruled other technical objections of Pakistan on the dam.
The dam's height was originally proposed to be 144.5 metre.
Radhika Lokesh, charge de affairs of the Indian embassy in Switzerland received the report on behalf of the government and forwarded it to New Delhi.
Further details are awaited.
Both countries were awaiting the decision keenly as it has been nagging their ties for over two decades.
Pakistan had in 2005 sought intervention of the World Bank, which is the third party to the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, alleging that construction of the project violated the accord.
India has rejected the charge.
According to the provisions of the treaty, the neutral expert's decision on all matters will be final and binding.
In electricity-deficit Jammu and Kashmir the 450-MW power project will come as a big relief. The complete project is designed to produce 900 MW of power.
Pakistan has opposed the construction of the project, particularly the design and height of the dam.
The verdict was particularly being awaited in electricity-deficit Jammu and Kashmir where completion of the 450-MW power project is expected to come as a big relief. The complete project is designed to produce 900 MW of power.
Prior to the final meeting with representatives of the two countries on November 7, Lafitte had circulated to India and Pakistan a draft containing his conclusions on the arbitration, which upheld New Delhi's view on the issue.
The arbitrator was slated to give his "final determination" by the end of last year but had put it off till February this year after Pakistan took strong exception to his draft circulated to the two countries.
Pakistan was opposing construction of the project, particularly the design and height of the dam.
The two countries tried to settle the issue between themselves but several rounds of discussions failed to yield any result.
Pakistan then sought intervention of the World Bank, which is third party in the Indus Water Treaty, in 2005 and Lafitte was appointed as the arbitrator on May 10 that year.
The verdict is also significant as its outcome could be linked with another disputed project -- Kishenganga power plant in Kashmir valley.
Under the terms of the Treaty, Lafitte was appointed by the World Bank, after consultations with the two Governments, to render a decision on a "difference" between the two countries regarding the Baglihar project.
The Indus Waters Treaty was concluded on September 19, 1960 by India and Pakistan under the aegis of the World Bank. The Treaty divided six common rivers between the two countries, allocating right over three to each.
The World Bank is a signatory to the Treaty for certain specified purposes.
This is the first time since the Treaty was concluded 47 years ago that the provisions regarding the settlement of differences and disputes have been invoked. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
