WB may advise altering Baglihar Dam design
Binding verdict likely in Feb

ISLAMABAD—World Bank (WB) arbitrator would give his decision on the contentious Indian Baglihar Dam dispute on February 12.
The detailed decision would be given on February 12, while Pakistan has announced that whatsoever the decision would be both the countries would be bound to obey it.
Meanwhile, reports arriving from Switzerland said Swiss arbitrator has directed making three basic alterations in its design instead of altogether giving up the construction of the controversial Baglihar Dam, according to newspaper reports.
These alterations included reducing the Dam height by 1.5-metre, construction of 1.2-metre high embankment around the Dam and raising the foundation of turbine installation by 3-metre high.
The newspaper report said that the WB arbitrator has already informed about his decision to the officials of Pakistan and India in a meeting held in Washington. However, Indian officials told that the Baglihar Dam would not remain economically useful, following the changes suggested in its design.
The report said that the New Delhi in next few days would make a decision as to whether to construct the Dam in accordance with the new design or give it up for good.
Talking to a private TV channel, Federal Secretary for Water and Power, Ishfaq Mehmood said the decision has not been delayed adding that Pakistan has pleaded its case in a better way. He said WB’s Swiss arbitrator Raymond Latiffe would provide a copy of his detailed decision on February 12 in Geneva to both parties to the issue Pakistan and India.
World Bank (WB) arbitrator on the contentious Indian Baglihar Dam has directed making some basic changes in the Dam’s design, according to newspaper reports. The reports said that the WB’s Swiss arbitrator Raymond Latiffe has directed making three basic alterations in its design instead of altogether giving up the construction of the controversial Baglihar Dam.
These alterations included reducing the Dam height by 1.5-metre, construction of 1.2-metre high embankment around the Dam and raising the foundation of turbine installation by 3-metre high.
The newspaper report said that the WB arbitrator has already informed about his decision to the officials of Pakistan and India in a meeting held in Washington. However, Indian officials told that the Baglihar Dam would not remain economically useful, following the changes suggested in its design.
The report said that the New Delhi in next few days would make a decision as to whether to construct the Dam in accordance with the new design or give it up for good.—Agencies