NEW DELHI, July 30: Pakistani experts and engineers have completed comprehensive inspection of the controversial 450MW Baglihar Hydel Power project being constructed by India over Chenab River in held Kashmir besides a maiden study of the project model.
Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah told APP on Saturday that during the first leg of week-long visit, the five-member team of senior experts and engineers inspected spillways, dam, power intakes, headway tunnel, power house complex, reservoir area and adjoining works at the site.
The Pakistani team, headed by Mr Shah, was accompanied by his counterpart D. K. Mehta and concerned Indian authorities during the inspection. The delegation extensively studied the model of the project on July 28 and 29 at Bahadurabad Irrigation Research Institute near Roorki in Uttar Pradesh, said Mr Shah.
The facts relating to the project were ascertained as part of a protocol singed with World Bank-appointed neutral expert Raymond Lafitte, he added.
Pakistan had earlier raised objections to the design of the project, saying it would obstruct the flow of the Chenab river to the country and was in violation of the Indus Water Treaty. Answering a question, Mr Shah said the report on the inspection of the project would be submitted to the government. The construction work on Baglihar Hydel Power Project was still in progress, he added.
Answering another question, he said the visit was for specific purpose ahead of the project inspection by the neutral expert, scheduled to take place in October this year.
Asked about next Indo-Pakistan meeting on 330MW Kishanganga Power Project on Neelum river in held Kashmir, Mr Shah said his counterpart had informed him that fresh dates would be announced later for the talks on the project. The Pakistan Indus water commissioner said he urged his counterpart to improve the arrangements for the supply of advance data to Pakistan regarding flood situation.
