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Pak raises pitch against Indian projects in J&K, seeks US intervention
Pakistan has sought the US intervention in stopping India from building mega power projects, ahead of the start of the construction of the second phase of Baglihar and several other projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan has sought the US intervention in stopping India from building mega power projects, ahead of the start of the construction of the second phase of Baglihar and several other projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
The work on the second phase of the project is to start in next six months time, and its survey report would be ready by this month-end.
Baglihar stage-II (450MW), Sawlakote (1200MW), Kirthai-I (240MW), Kirthai-II (990MW), Lower Kalnai (50MW), New Ganderbal (93MW) and Parnai (37.5 MW) are being taken up in the state sector for execution.
Under central sector Bursor (1020 MW), Uri-II (240MW), Kishen Ganga (330MW), Nimo-Bazgo (45MW), Chutak (44MW) and Sewa-II (120MW) hydro projects are under execution.
The three power projects Pukhal Dal (100MW), Kiru (600MW) and Kawar (560MW) are proposed for execution during 11th five year plan.
This time, Pakistan has knocked the doors of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging her to intervene and prevent India “from stopping water supply.”
During her visit to, US Secretary of state Hillary Clinton was told by Pakistani ministers that serious water crisis in their country was due to the India's move to construct dams and projects. They sought her and her country’s intervention. The Baglihar power project, along with proposed Sawlakote and Kishenganga projects were mentioned.
Hillary Clinton, who acknowledged that every federal minister she met with in Pakistan had raised the issue of water, was told by Sindh province’s Tourism Minister Sassui Palijo in very blunt terms: “We are suffering from severe water shortage because we are agronomist country and we totally depend upon water. The thing is that is trying its best to stop our water.”
“They are trying to build dams and other mega project. The thing is that I think can play a vital role, and now I think you will have to play your role so that can stop all these stupid and mega projects because they are trying to stop our water.”
To this, the visiting US Secretary of State had replied: “Well, I have heard about the water issue from every government official that I met with,” she said at the end of the conclusion of her visit to early this month.
The fact of the matter is that Jammu and Kashmir itself is suffering from acute water shortage and facing an unprecedented drought condition. Its major crops have failed and the water shortfall is forcing the government to go in for water rationing.
