MIRPUR, AJK:
Pakistan witnessed a major breakthrough in the energy and irrigation sector after Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani inaugurated on Thursday the Rs101 billion Mangla Dam height raising project, aimed at significantly increasing the country’s water storage and electricity generation.
The inauguration for the dam, situated in Mirpur district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), was held at the Mangla Fort under the auspices of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), in coordination with the AJK government. Construction work on the mega project kicked off after a ground-breaking ceremony on September 30, 2002 under then president Pervez Musharraf.
At the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Gilani said the project would usher in a new era of progress and prosperity in the country which, he added, would not only lead to bringing about a green revolution in the country, but would also raise the power generation capacity through the 1,000-megawatt (MW) Mangla Dam powerhouse by adding an additional 664 gigawatt hour (GWh) of power in the national grid, besides enhancing the water storage capacity in the reservoir.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan and Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed were among those who attended the ceremony.
The project will lead to an annual 14 per cent rise in power generation capacity, besides meeting the current 20 per cent reduced water storage capacity in the reservoir, Wapda officials told The Express Tribune.
They added that the Mangla Dam raising project would lead to economic progress and development in Pakistan and AJK. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government, they said, has started receiving billions of rupees in royalty annually for the dam.
Dhan Galli Bridge named after Gilani
While in Mirpur district, Prime Minister Gilani also inaugurated the Rs1,012 million Dhani Galli Bridge on River Jhelum, linking Punjab with AJK.
As a gesture of Kashmiris’ deep-rooted love for Pakistan, AJK authorities named the region’s largest bridge Bab-e-Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, in honour of the prime minister.
Wapda constructed the Dhan Galli Bridge across River Jhelum in the upper reaches of Mangla Dam Reservoir, about 80 metres downstream of the existing suspension bridge.
It is 45 kilometres from Rawat and Islamabad, Dadyal Road. The bridge will provide an all-weather and all-traffic facility between Dadyal and Rawalpindi/Islamabad.
Chinese construction companies M/s China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) and China Railway First Group (CRFG) constructed the bridge under a joint venture, sources revealed.
With the construction of the bridge, not only has the distance between Islamabad and Dadyal, AJK been reduced by 125 kilometres, but a minimum of two to three hours in travel time will also be reduced.
Wapda undertook the construction of Dhan Galli Bridge in November 2008, under the Mangla Dam Raising Project. The bridge measures 1,116 feet in length, and with a roadway width of 28 feet, it can accommodate two lanes.
The construction of the bridge is another major aspect of the agreement signed between the governments of Pakistan and AJK over the Mangla Dam Raising project
Allocation of funds
Over Rs66 billion was allocated in terms of compensation for the population of 118 villages that were affected due to the raising of the dam.
Some Rs5 billion have been allocated towards a greater water supply and sewerage project in Mirpur, whereas five adjoining hamlets have also been launched
Hitting back at the PML-N
During his address in Mirpur district, Prime Minister Gilani said the public should pay no heed to the ongoing “anti-government propaganda” unleashed by the opposition.
Without naming the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leadership, the prime minister said that those criticising the “people-friendly policies” of the incumbents, had done nothing for the betterment of the nation themselves, despite being in power in the past.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2011.
COMMENTS (12)
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You are missing the joke - if the people of AJK named the bridge after Mr. Dandy, Yousuf Raza Gilani, they are really mocking Pakistan. You just have to look at Gilani's record in office - the people are AJK must really dislike Pakistan to make this point.
@fahim: Hooray! Hooray! And hooray! As long as the Chinese are involved there is optimism that it will be completed as per schedule or maybe even before the cut-off date. Yes! During Mr. Musharraf's tenure it was started but it's completion that is lost on me. Salams.
To the Editors:
Instead of featuring a picture of the PM, would'nt it have been befiiting to feature a picture of the Mangla Dam atop this article?
This is what I call lazy journalism.
@H.A. Khan: What happens if the largest tax payer pays a pittance?
How about naming major infrastructure projects after the largest tax payers in the country. This will recognise large tax payers who in theory are funding the projects with their taxes.
basicclly its a chinese funded, controlled and managed project..
@Khurram: the journey of a thousand miles must begin with the first step.....and the first step...and the first step...if you understand what I mean.
May I suggest that the Daimer Bhasha Dam be also named after the valiant Mr Gilani?
Dear Mr. Prime Minister there is a very long distance between Inauguration of a Project and Accomplishment of a Project.