ADB, WAPDA discuss resettlement action plan of Diamer Basha Dam

MIRPUR: A two-member delegation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) met with WAPDA Land Acquisition and Resettlement Wing in WAPDA House here Thursday.

According to official sources,the ADB delegation comprised Senior Social Development Specialist (Safeguards), Ross J. Butler and Principal Social Development Specialist in Pakistan Ruwani A. Jayewardane.

The ADB is providing US $ 500,000 to WAPDA as grant under Capacity Development Technical Assistance.

The grant, to be utilised for capacity building viz effective safeguard management during implementation of projects, mainly covers four areas, which include institutional assessment, policy development, capacity development support and support for safeguard preparation for priority major dams.

It was further told that a sum of Rs.68 billion has been earmarked for providing social services to the affectees, while Rs.42 billion are for acquisition of land and Rs.8 billion for compensation of other assets.