Indus water commissioners meet - Miyar Project

Why in news?

India and Pakistan recently discussed hydroelectric projects and other such issues at the end of two day talks of Indus water commissioners in Islamabad.

What is the issue with the Miyar project?

• Discussions were held on India’s proposed Miyar, Lower Kalnai and Pakal Dul hydropower projects.
• It also includes matters pertaining to exchange of data and conducting tours and meetings of Indus Commission.
• The Miyar Hydropower plant is located on Miyar Nallah, a right bank tributary of Chenab River.
• With the 120 MW-capacity it is located in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul Spiti district.
• It is the run-of-the river project with a barrage type structure.
• The design of the Miyar project was received by Pakistan from India in the year 2009.
• Pakistan carried out a detailed review of the design following the guidelines mentioned in the treaty and communicated its objections to India in the same year.
• Pakistan had objected to the placement of spillway, magnitude of pondage, intake and freeboard.
• Pakistan has proposed a surface gated free-overflow spillway design.
• India agreed to change design of the project.

What are the other issues?

• However, on 1,500 MW Pakal Dul Hydropower plant and 48 MW Lower Kalnai, both sides could not come up with any kind of consensus.
• Pakal Dul hydropower project was being constructed on the Marusadar River -a major right bank tributary of the Chena River in the Indian held Kashmir.
• It is concrete faced rock fill dam.
• The reservoir will store water every year and release it in the winter season.
• Talking about the 48MW Lower Kalnai, the official said the project was being constructed by India on the Lower Kalnai River, which was also a left bank tributary of the Chenab River.
• Pakistan also raised its concern saying that there should be a mechanism of data exchange to ensure that the reservoir was being filled as per guidelines.
• Besides Miyar and Lower Kalnai, Pakistan has been flagging concerns over designs of India's Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Ratle (850 MW) and Kishanganga (330 MW) hydropower projects, being built or planned in the Indus river basin, contending these violate the treaty.

Source: The Hindu