Diamer-Bhasha Dam: KKH reopens after three-day blockade

Agreement signed between WAPDA and Kohistan villagers over payment of compensation.


Muhammad Sadaqat October 18, 2011

DASU: Protesting villagers from Kohistan agreed to reopen the Karakoram Highway (KKH) on Monday, following an agreement between the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) chairman and locals affected by the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam.

Over 1,000 villagers from Dasu and adjoining areas had blocked the KKH at the Harban Nala Bridge since Friday, demanding the immediate payment of compensation for the 162.5-acre of land acquired for the construction of the dam.

Wapda had acquired the land in 2006 for a residential colony of workers associated with the project and had promised to pay Rs262 million in compensation to the land owners.

However, according to MPA Abdul Sattar Khan, despite repeated requests Wapda had failed to clear the dues.

Infuriated over what they said were ‘delaying tactics’, villagers blocked the KKH on Friday in protest, suspending traffic for three days.

Hazara Division Commissioner Khalid Umerzai told The Express Tribune that Wapda had transferred Rs90 million out of a total amount of Rs262 million into the commissioner office’s account, and added that the remaining sum would be transferred after November 15.

However, the district administration, through a committee of local elders, entered into an agreement with the protesters. The agreement was signed by Wapda Chairman Shakeel Durrani Sunday night in Chilas.

According to the agreement, the local administration will begin the payment of compensation to the affected villagers from next week. Additionally, a five per cent royalty of the dam will be allocated for the development of Kohistan.

Furthermore, the construction of a residential colony and establishment of schools, colleges, roads and skills development centres for the villagers are also part of the agreement.

The chairman, however, did not promise the provision of free electricity to the villagers but assured to take up the matter with the federal government.

He also assured to hold a meeting of the Boundary Commission to resolve the issue of the disputed land.

Zardari to inaugurate Diamer-Bhasha Dam today

President Asif Ali Zardari is set to inaugurate the Diamer-Bhasha Dam today in Chilas of Diamer district.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mehdi Shah and other top civil and military officials of the region will take part in the ceremony.

According to the scheduled plan, President Zardari will fly to the dam site before inaugurating the project, believed to be vital for Pakistan, which currently is experiencing the worst form of power crisis.

With an estimated cost of $11.2 billion, the dam will be completed in eight years. (WITH ADDITONAL REPORTING BY SHABBIR MIR IN GILGIT)

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2011.

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