The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has given the go-ahead for India to divert waters from the Kishenganga/Neelum River for its 330MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project.
The Court ruled in a dispute between Pakistan and India under the Indus Waters Treaty concerning the legality of the construction and operation of the hydro project and reservoir storage levels.
Pakistan had objected to the construction of the project on the basis that it would affect the Neelum-Jhelum project which is currently under development.
The Court ruled however that India can divert the waters of the river, but must maintain a minimum flow of water at a rate to be determined by the end of the year.
Image: The Neelum River, by Zahid samoon. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons.