LAHORE: India started construction of the first-ever water reservoir PakalDul Dam on western rivers with an intention of increasing its holdingcapacity in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, sources told The News.

The sources said India has gone ahead with a plan to develop its waterstorage capacity on the western rivers at a time when Pakistan is reelingunder severe water shortage.

Officials confirmed that India wanted to place spillway of 1,000 megawattsof Pakal Dul Dam on Chenab River in Indian Kashmir, about 15 meters downagainst the permissible limit, which will give the country undue leverageof holding 11,000 acres of feet water in addition to allowed volume ofwater storage.

India wanted to establish water storage capacity of 88,000 acre feet onChenab River with the setting up of Pakal Dul Dam.

“Our objections are very clear. We did not oppose water conservationfacility within live storage rather Pakistan lodged complaint regarding useof unlawfully enhanced dead storage,” an official said. “We took up theissue of illegal construction of augmented storage capacity during March29-30 meeting with Indian Commissioner in New Delhi.” The sources said theissue was proposed to be on the agenda of next meeting as Pakistan wantedto sort out the issues at the earliest.

Pakistan also raised objection on height of free board of dam, which willallow greater storage capacity. “We have asked India to lower it to thelevel allowed under the Indus Waters Treaty,” the official said.

In 2014, a Pakistan’s delegation visited the site of Pakal Dul Dam in 2014and the second visit will be made “as soon as India asks us to do so,” anofficial remarked.

India is bound to share details of its project’s design six months beforethe start of construction on the river. “We have raised objections withinstipulated time of three months of receiving documents of the projects,”the official said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone of Pakal Dul Damin May. The event was not highlighted in the Indian media and insteadlaunching of Kishanganga hydropower was given prominence. Pakal Dul Dam isa reservoir-based scheme currently under construction on river Marusudar,the main right bank tributary of river Chenab in Kishtwar Tehsil of Dodadistrict in Jammu and Kashmir.

The power project envisages construction of a 167-metre high concrete facerockfill dam across river Marusudar and an underground powerhouse at. Itsfull reservoir level has been projected at 1,700 meters.