India has decided to go ahead with the 850 MW Ratle hydropower project despite objections by Pakistan, Times Now reported.
The Ratle dam, which is currently under construction on the Chenab River, violates the Indus Water Treaty according to Pakistan,. However, India on the other hand, maintains the Ratle project is a run-of-the-river hydroelectricity project and not in violation of the treaty.
According to the report, the decision to send the power ministry and state government officials to Ratle was taken at a meeting chaired by top officials of the Prime Minister’s office on 30 October 30. It adds that the meeting was related to the Indus basin projects and apart from Ratle, two other projects were also discussed.
The Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir government have revived the Shahpur Kandi dam project and have entered into an agreement to restart the work that has been stalled for the past four years.
While the Punjab government will begin the work, the water resources ministry will prepare a revised cost estimate and ensure cabinet approval.
The water resources ministry and the Jammu and Kashmir government are also planning to visit the Ujh multipurpose project to prepare the action plant.
According to media inputs, the government is looking to lay the foundation stone of the project by the end of the year.
