Pakistan's Indus team in India to inspect two hydel power projects on Chenab.

A three-member Pakistani delegation led by its Indus Water Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah is visiting India from Sunday to inspect two hydel power projects on the Chenab riverbasin as part of the bilateral Indus Water Treaty. 

India recently agreed to allow Pakistan to inspect the projects on Chenab basin from January 28-31. India’s Indus Waters Commission has invited its Pakistani counterpart to visit the country for the inspection of projects on the Chenab basin under the provisions of the treaty. 

The tour by Pakistani experts was first scheduled for September last year, and later for October. But the inspections were postponed due to elections to local bodies in the concerned areas. Terming India’s invitation a “major breakthrough”, Pakistan’s federal minister for water resources, Faisal Vawda, tweeted: “Pakistan and India have been into Indus water treaty dispute for ages. Due to our continued efforts there’s a major breakthrough that India has finally agreed to our request for inspection of Indian projects in Chenab basin.” 

He further wrote on the microblogging site: “I’ve directed my team to visit and carry out inspection of projects from January 27-February 1. It’s indeed a feather in ministry for water resources’ cap. We welcome this gesture from India and we expect the same spirit for resolution of other outstanding issues.” 

The tour will be confined to projects on Chenab —Ratle, Lower Kalnai and Pakaldul — said the person cited earlier. 

During the 115th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission held in Lahore, Pakistan, from August 29-30, 2018, both the commissioners had agreed to undertake the tours mandated by the treaty on both sides. 

The Permanent Indus Commission, formed under a treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, comprises the Indus commissioners of the two countries. The treaty provides for meeting of the commissioners at least once every year, alternately in India and Pakistan. 

ET