LAHORE – The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has transferred the remaining Rs 3.0 billion to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government for compensation of built-up property belonging to those affected by the Mangla Dam Raising Project. Therefore, total compensation for Mangla Dam Raising Project has now been made to the AJK Government. This also includes payment to the old affectees of Mangla Dam.
The AJK Government has started disbursement of the amount to the affectees, and the process will be completed by the end of next month. Thereafter, the affectees will be given sufficient time to construct their houses on the alternate locations.
This significant development has paved the way to filling of the raised Mangla Dam, which was completed in 2009, but filling of the raised reservoir could not be started due to nonpayment to affectees because of the financial crunch. Now, WAPDA has planned to start test-filling of the water reservoir this year up to 1,230 feet above the mean sea level. It is pertinent to mention that the remaining resettlement works, including four satellite towns and the construction of Dhan Gali bridge across the Jhelum River, are in an advanced stage and expected to be completed soon.
The project is being completed with the revised cost of Rs 101 billion, out of which Rs 64 billion was allocated for resettlement works.
