PAK-WATER 2LST

Following concerns about submergence voiced by
Pakistan, India reviewed the project in 2006, converting it
from a storage project to a 'run-of-river plant', which is a
type of hydroelectric generation whereby the natural flow and
elevation drop of a river are used to generate power.
The reviewed data was communicated to Pakistan in June
2006.
Pakistan had earlier moved the World Bank for
arbitration on Baglihar power project, built on Chenab river
in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan was objecting to the design and
height of the dam.
The Bank appointed a neutral expert, Richard Laffite
who held separate discussions with representatives of the two
countries and visited the dam site.
After thorough deliberations, the expert in February
2007 gave a go-ahead to the 440 MW project in Doda district
with some suggestions for reduction in the dam height.
Last year, when Pakistan had threatened to move the
WB, India's Indus Commissioner G Ranganathan had written to
his counterpart Syed Jamaat Ali Shah emphasising that
approaching the international organisation was not warranted
as the matter could be resolved through bilateral talks, the
sources said.
Pakistan is yet to respond to this invitation, they
said. PTI