Pak has no objection to two power projects in J-K

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has no objection to the construction of the Uri-II and the Chutak hydel power projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Pakistani delegation, which is in India for the Indus Water Commissioner-level talks, said it had no objection to the designs of the two power projects after the Indian side provided details of these, official sources said.

Pakistan had earlier raised objections over the 240 MW Uri-II project being constructed on Jhelum River in Jammu and Kashmir and the 44 MW Chutak plant being built on Suru, a tributary of Indus River in Kargil district.

Pakistan had claimed that the projects would deprive it of its share of water, The Nation reports.

The breakthrough came on the first day of three-day Indus Water Commission talks.

Indus Water Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah led the Pakistani delegation, while his counterpart G Ranganathan led the Indian side.

This is for the first time that Pakistan has accepted the designs of power projects at the level of Permanent Indus Commission, sources said. Earlier, it took a ministerial meeting to make Pakistan agree to Salal Power Project.

The two projects are in an advance stage and are likely to be completed by the end of this year, The Nation reports.

Earlier, the Baglihar and Kishenganga power projects were delayed for long because of Pakistani objections.

On the 450-MW Baglihar project, Pakistan had even moved the World Bank, which has the role of neutral arbitrator under the Indus Water Treaty in the disputes between the two countries arising, The Nation reports.

The project could go ahead only after the World Bank gave its clearance with suggestions for some minor changes in design of the dam. (ANI)