'Comprehensive inspection of Baglihar project accomplished'

Pakistani experts and engineers have completed comprehensive inspection of the controversial 450 MW Baglihar Hydel Power project in Indian occupied Kashmir besides maiden study of the project model.
Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah told APP on Saturday that during the first leg of week-long visit, the five-member team of senior experts and engineers inspected spillways, dam, power intakes, headway tunnel, power house complex, reservoir area and adjoining works at the site.
The Pakistani team, headed by Indus Water Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah was accompanied by his counterpart D K Nehta and concerned Indian authorities during the inspection.
The delegation studied the model of the project extensively on July 28 and 29 at Bahadurabad Irrigation Research Institute near Roorki in Uttar Pradesh, said Jamat All Shah.
The facts relating to the Baglihar Power Project were ascertained as part of protocol singed with neutral expert Raymond Lafitte, appointed by the World Bank, he added.
Led by Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner, a five-member team of experts and engineers, which arrived here on July 23 will return home Saturday at the conclusion of week-long inspection tour.
Pakistan had earlier raised objections on the design of the project as it would obstruct the flow of the water to the country and was in violation of the Indus Water Treaty.
To a question, Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner said that the report on the inspection of the project would be submitted to the government. The construction work on Baglihar Hydel Power Project was still in progress, he added.
In response to another question, he said the visit was for specific purpose ahead of the project inspection by the neutral experts, slated to take place in October this year. It was the first inspection and study of the project model at the institute, he added.
Asked about next Indo-Pakistan meeting on 330 MW Kishanganga power project on Neelum River in IHK, Jamaat Ali said his counterpart had informed that fresh dates would be announced later for the talks on the project.
Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner said he urged his counterpart to strengthen the arrangements for the supply of advance data to Pakistan regarding flood situation.