Experts tasked with assessing the clauses of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) and addressing recent objections by Pakistan to hydroelectric project designs are scheduled to visit Doda district today, on June 26, officials have confirmed.
On day two of their visit, the 40-member delegation of neutral experts inspected various units of the 850-megawatt Ratle hydroelectric power project. Their tour included downstream areas and tunnel sections where the powerhouse is being constructed.
"Upon arrival at the Ratle project site, the delegation inspected the downstream area to assess the water flow from the tunnels.
They then visited the power station tunnel and the TC area before heading to Drabshalla and finally back to Kishtwar," said a source.
The delegation is scheduled to visit the Doda district today to examine the water flow in the Chenab River.
So far, the delegation has avoided media interactions, and even workers at the Ratle power project have been restricted from speaking to them. They are accompanied by their photographers and videographers documenting details.
It’s being speculated that the photographs and video footage are likely to be used in the court of arbitration for the settlement of any issue arising in the future between the two nations.
The delegation arrived in Jammu on June 23 and reached Kishtwar the following morning to inspect the Ratle power project site.
They are on a four-day tour following India's call for a resolution of the issue by neutral experts under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).
Initially, Pakistan also sought resolution through neutral experts but later requested adjudication through a Court of Arbitration.
Pakistan raised objections over the design features of both the Ratle and Kishenganga hydroelectric power projects.
The Ratle project, a run-off-the-river initiative, began 11 years ago when then-Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone on June 25, 2013, at Chowgan ground in Kishtwar.
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