The phased process for rehabilitation of the affectees of the gigantic Mangla Dam raising project coupled with initial work on the project, including formal survey to launch the construction work, will begin from May this year, said engineer Chaudhry Amir Afzal, Commissioner Mangla Dam Affairs.
He was addressing news conference at the Kashmir Press Club here on Sunday. He was accompanied by Additional Commissioner Chaudhry Mohammad Munir, PRO Chaudhry Mohammad Rashid, Secretary MDA Abdul Hameed Mir and other officials of the MDA.
The Commissioner Mangla Dam Affairs said that the upcoming Rs 64 billion gigantic Mangla Dam Raising Project will usher in the new era of speedy progress and prosperity through bringing about green revolution in the country, including Azad Kashmir, since the project will augment supply of irrigation water in various parts of the country, particularly in Punjab and Sindh provinces, at a time when the country is in dire need of water.
MODEL CITY: He said that the grand project would bring about investment of billions of rupees by the local and foreign entrepreneurs in Azad Jammu Kashmir wiping out the unemployment and poverty in the area.
He said that Mirpur would emerge as the model city of global status as a result of the project. Chaudhry Amir Afzal said: "The investment worth over Rs 70 billion is expected in the trade, industrial and other related economic sectors only in Mirpur district."
He made it clear that the impending Mangla Dam raising project affectees will not be allowed to pass through the previous crucial experiences. He said that the affected persons would be rehabilitated through the latest housing. He said that New Mirpur City would be in no way, less important than Islamabad in the status.
To a query, the commissioner said that 84 percent of the total funds allocated for the Mangla Dam raising project will be borne by the government of Pakistan from its own resources. "Whereas the remaining 16 percent of the funds will be utilised in foreign currency.
ENERGY OUTPUT: The average annual energy output is estimated to increase by 772 GWH, which is equivalent to an increase of about 150 megawatts in output of the existing 1000-MW power plant.
The project will also generate construction activity and employment opportunities at a large scale, he said.
The dam has already contributed significantly towards improvement of the environment in terms of agriculture growth, job opportunities and improved standard of living. "Availability of additional water and hydropower will further enhance these positive impacts," he said.
The commissioner pointed out that since the completion in 1967, the gross storage capacity of Mangla reservoir has reduced by about 20 percent due to sediment deposition.
He pointed out that the Mangla Dam was originally designed with the water storage capacity up to 1270 feet water level. "But due to some reasons, it was kept to the water storage capacity up to 1210 feet water level.
Compensating for the capacity lost to sedimentation was in mind and provision for raising of the dam was kept in the original design and construction of the dam.
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