(a) whether the Government has cleared the visit of PCIW to discuss Baglihar hydro-electric project in Jammu and Kashmir recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps so far taken to resolve the deadlock?
(a) whether the Government has cleared the visit of PCIW to discuss Baglihar hydro-electric project in Jammu and Kashmir recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps so far taken to resolve the deadlock?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRIMATI BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)
(a) The Government arranged a visit to Baglihar Hydro-elctric Project (J&K) as a special tour of inspection of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) from 19th to 23rd October, 2003. The tour was undertaken under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty at the request of Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters (PCIW).
(b) Both the Indian and Pakistan Commissioners, accompanied by their advisors inspected the works and sites of Baglihar Project on 21.10.2003. The dam and power house areas of the Project were inspected by the PIC.
(c) India has repeatedly conveyed to Pakistan that the design of the Baglihar Hydroelctric Project fully conforms to the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty. India has made all efforts to dispel the apprehensions of Pakistan in the best possible manner by arranging the visit to the various components of the Baglihar project and providing necessary explanations/clarifications to the queries raised by the Pakistan team, during this 100th tour of PIC. Moreover, India has consistently expressed its readiness for technical discussions on the objections of Pakistan in meeting(s) of the Permanent Indus Commission to resolve the issues amicably in the spirit of goodwill and cooperation envisaged in the Treaty.