Disputed hydro project: India agrees to review design

The Indian delegation led by Indus Water Commissioner PK Saxena has agreed to halt progress on 120 MW Miyar hydroelectric project's design. According to an official statement issued after a two-day parley between the Permanent Indus Water Commissioners in Islamabad, India has also expressed willingness to consider Pakistan's observation on 1,000MW Pakul Dal and 48MW Lower Kalnai hydroelectric projects.
According to the official statement of the Ministry for Water and Power, the 113th meeting of Permanent Indus Water Commission was held on March 20-21 in Islamabad in which discussions were held on India's proposed Miyar, Lower Kalnai and Pakal Dul hydropower projects as well as matters pertaining to exchange of data and conducting tours and meetings of Indus Commission.
It further said that on Miyar Hydropower Project, India has withdrawn its design after Pakistan raised objections on it in the previous meetings of the Commission. On the other two projects, discussions were held on Pakistan's prior objections relating to pondage and freeboard of Lower Kalnai and freeboard and spillway of Pakal Dul hydropower projects. The Indian side agreed to reconsider Pakistan's observations on these projects and will respond in the next meeting of the Commission.
The Indian side also agreed to tour of inspection for Pakistan's Indus Commission which is expected to be arranged before August 2017. Pakistan's side demanded from India to provide the outflows from Baghlihar and Salal dams (Chenab River) during flood season to issue flood early warning.
"The Indian side has agreed to consider Pakistan's request and it is expected that India would start providing the required data starting from the coming flood season," the ministry claims. Earlier talking to media, Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner Mirza Asif Baig said, "India will prepare and share a new design of the project." He further stated that India has agreed to review the design for the disputed Lower Kalnai hydroelectric project.
On Monday, addressing a press conference Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif welcomed the Indian delegation. He said he would not make any speculations on the resolution of disputes. He claimed that India has not shared the designs of three proposed projects which will be discussed in the meeting of Permanent Water Commissioners. No official version was released by the Indian delegation till filing of this report.