Srinagar/Bandipora, June 18: With all eyes set on Court of Arbitration for resolving the Kishanganga power project controversy between India and Pakistan, experts from the world body along with the authorities of Water Commissions from the neighboring countries today inspected the project site in Gurez in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Pakistan had knocked the doors of the Court on May 27 this year against 330 megawatt power and storage project, reportedly raising objections in the appeal regarding “diversion and change of sub-basin” of the Kishanganga River from Gurez to project dam site in Bandipora.
India has been firm on its stand that the project construction was strictly complying with the Indus Water Treaty which was brokered by the WB giving rights over water of three rivers each to the two countries.
“The entire team today flew to Gurez to inspect the dam site and had a look around the (under construction) tunnel,” said DC Bandipora. The team spend some time on the site before flying back here, said the DC, adding the team is scheduled to visit project site in Bandipora district on Sunday.
An official source said the members of the CoA had a “brief discussion between them near the sites. “They exchanged some points within the team,” he said, wishing anonymity, in view of the sensitivity involved in the issue. The under construction tunnel, 23 km long and 5.4 meters wide, is being executed from Dawar in Gurez to Kralpora in Bandipora. It would lift a portion of water from Kishanganga, a tributary of Jhelum, in Gurez to dam site in Malik Kadal Bandipora where it would be exploited for power generation before ending up in Wullar.
“Pakistan has raised objection against construction of tunnel alleging the sub-basin of the water body is being changed,” the official said.
On entering Pakistan, the Kishanganga is named as Neelam on which Pakistan is also construction 900 plus MW power project. However the power scheme completed first would be declared viable as per the IWT.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 18 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 19 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST