A damned endeavour?: Dasu hydro project on uncertain ground

The $7b energy project will help solve the country’s crippling energy crisis.


Muhammad Sadaqat March 22, 2014
The $7b energy project will help solve the country’s crippling energy crisis. PHOTO: FILE

KOHISTAN:


Work on the Dasu hydropower project in Kohistan district remains suspended as land owners and the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) have yet to agree on the price of land acquired for the project.


The delay has already lasted several months, since December 15, and is a cause for serious concern for the central government, which is keen to complete the 4,320 megawatts project in its efforts to overcome the country’s severe energy crisis.



The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) had approved this project along with 12 others in August last year.

Located on the Indus River, seven kilometres (km) upstream of Kohistan’s Dasu village and 74km downstream of Diamer Basha Dam, the Rs8.2 billion project was initiated last year until landowners raised an issue over the rights of the local communities – more specifically the price offered for their lands.

An action committee comprising representatives of the affected villages has already submitted an 18-point charter of demands to the deputy commissioner (DC) of Kohistan and Wapda’s Project Director, having discussed the issue during several jirgas held previously.

The committee’s demands included a 100% job quota for non-technical staff, the construction of a Wapda College for boys and girls, residential colonies for affected communities, development of infrastructure, and rebates in electricity bills.

Frustrated by the delay in reaching a fair agreement, land owners have protested.

According to land owners, the compensation rates offered by the water authority for both their commercial and non-commercial land were insufficient and demanded the market price. Wapda has maintained that their offer is fair in relation to market rates.

In response to local concerns,Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Abdul Sattar Khan suspended construction work back in December.

To address the issue, yet another meeting was held at Dasu’s Jirga Hall on Thursday. Chaired by Commissioner Kohistan Syed Muhammad Shah, the meeting was attended by MNA Kohistan Sarzameen Khan, Project Director Dasu Hydropower Project (Wapda’s) Muhammad Farooq and members of the action committee.

Speaking on behalf of landowners, committee member Malik Qadam Khan said the people of Kohistan were patriots and wanted to support the government in easing the energy crisis.

“Our consent for giving our ancestors’ land for the project is the proof of our loyalty for the country and its interest,” he said, adding that the government should accept their reasonable demands. Fellow member, Malik Noor Wali Shah, said that international donors, including World Bank, required that the project be implemented in accordance with the rights of affected communities.

Social activist Shamsur Rehman advised that the government should not ignore the community’s demands because any further delay would be detrimental to the greater energy concerns. He accused the government of standing by while the resource-rich district of Kohistan suffered from neglect. “When our land and water is being used for electricity generation worth billions in future revenue, why is the government ignoring the rights of land owners?” he questioned.

Also speaking at the meeting, MNA Sarzameen Khan reprimanded Wapda authorities for not reaching a favourable agreement at a time when the government was desperately working on ending the energy crisis. He warned that Wapda should accept local demands so that the project can continue smoothly.

Project Director Muhammad Farooq urged committee members to cooperate with Wapda as the project would not only help meet the energy requirement of the people it represented but also bring development opportunities, such as employment and health facilities, to the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2014.

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