What did Manohar Lal say on Chenab-Indus hydropower projects? photo awakening
राज्य ब्यूरो, जम्मू। Union Energy, Housing and Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal on Sunday said in plain and simple words that every objection of Pakistan on hydropower projects in Chenab and Indus Basin is unacceptable to India.
Speaking to reporters after laying the foundation stone of dam concreting works for the second phase of Ratle Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar here today, he said the waters of Chenab and Indus will be used for the benefit of our own people.
Along with this, he stressed on not employing terrorists, separatists or people with any other criminal background in hydropower projects, saying that these projects are of national and strategic importance. Therefore, law abiding people and those verified by security agencies will be hired.
The Union Minister, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, also took stock of the Salal Hydroelectric Project in Reasi district today. He directed the concerned officials to expeditiously complete the work of cleaning Salal Hydroelectric Project and desilting the lake. He also conducted aerial survey of Savlakot Hydroelectric Project.
It is noteworthy that under the Indus Water River Agreement, India does not have the right to stop the water of Chenab, Jhelum and other rivers in Jammu and Kashmir and Sindh River in Ladakh. He can build only run of water hydroelectric projects on these.
Pakistan has always opposed the construction of hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir and any kind of dam construction on Chenab, Jhelum and Sindh. After the Pahalgam attack, India has postponed the Indus Water River Agreement.
Talking to journalists in Kishtwar today, he said that no objection from Pakistan will be accepted. After ‘Operation Sindoor’, we are progressing our projects rapidly. By stopping the Indus Water Treaty, Prime Minister Modi has given a clear message to Pakistan that blood and water will not flow together.
The waters of Chenab and Indus will be used for the benefit of our own people. These are our rivers, we have the first right on them, it is the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In response to a question regarding hiring of some people from terrorist-separatist background in a hydropower project in Kishtwar and giving contracts for work related to the projects, he said that no person with dubious background or any terrorist or separatist connection will be hired in the ongoing projects.
Employment will be given only to verified and law abiding workers. Good people should get work. Any information about people working in these projects will be verified through the concerned institutions and agencies.
Along with this, he clarified that till now no wrong or worrying input has been received regarding these projects. He said that there are complaints of some people regarding hydropower projects here in Kishtwar, some of which will be resolved at the local level and some which are of serious nature, will be resolved as per the prescribed procedure.
In response to another question, he said that I visited Salal Project today and also did an aerial survey of Sawalkot (Hydroelectric Project). Work on the second phase of Ratle project has also started today through informal and official means. With its timely completion, NHPC will generate 800 MW of power, which will be a significant contribution to the energy generation capacity of the country.