World Bank: India can build Kishanganga, Ratle projects

Under the Indus Waters Treaty, India is permitted to construct hydroelectric power facilities on tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers with certain restrictions, the World Bank has said.

Pakistan opposes the construction of the Kishanganga (330 megawatts) and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric power plants being built by India, it said in a fact sheet issued on Tuesday at the conclusion of secretary-level talks between the two countries over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

Noting that the two countries disagree over whether the technical design features of the two hydroelectric plants contravene the treaty, the World Bank said the IWT designates these two rivers as well as the Indus as the “Western Rivers” to which Pakistan has unrestricted use.

“Among other uses, India is permitted to construct hydroelectric power facilities on these rivers subject to constraints specified in Annexures to the treaty,” the Bank said in its fact shet is very good news for us. Our hydro-power potential will go up in the Jammu and Kashmir area of western riverset as it noted that the secretary-level discussions between Indian and Pakistan on the technical issues of the IWT took place this week “in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation”.

The parties have agreed to continue discussions and reconvene in September in Washington, DC, it said in a separate statement.