Pak objects to power projects on Chenab

NEW DELHI, Sept 22:
Pakistan today objected to construction of four hydel power projects by India in the Chenab basin in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming it could reduce flow of water into its territory, thus depriving its agriculture of an essential input.
Pakistan raised the issue at the 109th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission being held here, an official said.
A five-member Pakistan delegation is here to attend the first meeting of Permanent body being held this year.
An senior official, who attended the meeting, said Pakistan’s objections to the four hydel projects were on the agenda.
“Besides, we carried forward the discussions of the last meeting,” the official told reporters.
According to the agenda of the meeting, Pakistan’s objection to 850 MW Ratle, 120 MW Miyar, 48 MW Lower Kalnai and 1,000 MW Pakal Dul hydro projects, proposed to be constructed by India in Chenab basin, will be discussed in the four-day meeting.
Chenab is a major river of J&K. It forms in Himachal Pradesh and flows through J&K into the plains of Pakistan’s Punjab.
The waters of the Chenab are allocated to Pakistan under the terms of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The Indus system of rivers comprises three Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, and their tributaries) and three Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, and their tributaries). (PTI)