News
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Pakistan to go to WB for water compensation from India
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will go to the World Bank (WB) to seek compensation from India for reduced water flow in the Chenab River and design defects in Baglihar Dam, Indus Water Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah said on Wednesday. Shah reiterated that Pakistan had demanded water, not monetary compensation, from India for the losses incurred due to decreased water flow in the Chenab. He said both countries had exchanged data about the water flow in the Chenab River during his recent visit to India, but India had objected to the data compiled by Pakistan and asked for a visit to Marala Headworks for inspecting the water flow. The commissioner said Pakistan has authorised India to visit Marala, adding that a demand for compensation for the water losses and an assurance of honouring the Indus Water Treaty in the future has also been put up. He reiterated that India had violated the treaty while filling Baglihar Dam, adding that it filled the dam in 10 days instead of completing the process in a period of 60 to 70 days. Shah said water shortage due to the initial filling of the dam has badly affected the agriculture sector in Pakistan, as farmers could not receive the water to irrigate their fields in time. He said Pakistan has also asked India to install a telemetric mechanism at the Chenab River and provide data about filling and release from the dam on a daily basis. The Chenab water row has adversely affected the peace process between the two neighbours that was initiated in 2004. app
Courtesy DailyTimes