Jammu, May 5: While Pakistan has decided to move International court against India over exploitation of the northern rivers in violation of the Indus Water Treaty, state government has started the techno-feasibility report to divert 100 cusecs of water from the Chenab river near Akhnoor in Jammu.
 An official from the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department said that the consultants hired by the department have begun the Geo-Technical Feasibility of the project, which has been initiated to meet the future water needs of the Jammu city, which is expanding very fast.
 Under the scheme, nearly 40 Million Gallon Day (MGD)(100 cuses) of water would be lifted near Ranjan lift irrigation station near Akhnoor about 28 Km from the city.
 “The project will be completed on time to meet the future demands of the people and we have asked the officials to complete it on time”, said Minister for PHE, Taj-Mohi-Ud-Din.
 However sources said that government was worried over the reported move by the Pakistan to move to International bodies as they allege that India is violating the 1962 Indus treaty which has led to lower flow towards the Pakistan thus affecting the agriculture.
 According to the proposal, the water is proposed to be carried by gravity having initial lift from river Chenab and will be filtered subsequently at a suitable spot to be identified on the higher contour through open channel or pipes at Roop Nagar on the outskrits of the city.
 Though a senior official from the department said that the project is very difficult keeping in view the hilly terrain and slide prone zones but it is the only available option to meet the future water needs of the ever expanding Jammu city were the population has reached nearly 13 lakh.
 It is important to mention here that Jammu and Kashmir had already faced tough situation over the Baghilar power project when the Pakistan moved to International Court.
  “There could be opposition from the neighboring country and it will now depend on the government to deal with the issue”, said a official.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 5 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 5 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 6 May 2010 00:00:00 IST