The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Syed Raghib Abbas Shah Wednesday visited Diamer Basha Dam Project. He was accompanied by the senior officers of Wapda and the project authorities. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman said that because of the keen interest taken by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the concerted efforts put in by the Ministry of Water and Power and Wapda, about 17,000 acres state-owned land has been transferred by the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan to Wapda for Diamer Basha Dam Project.
Terming it a significant development for implementation of the project, he thanked the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan (KAGB) as well as the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan for transferring the state-owned land to Wapda. He said that Wapda has also provided a sum of Rs 5.5 billion to the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan for its disbursement to the people for acquiring private land.
The Chairman said that the Government accords high importance to Diamer Basha Dam Project and in view of its significance, the Ministry of Water and Power, through WAPDA, is implementing it as a priority project.
During his visit to the various sites of the project, the Chairman expressed satisfaction that the work for resettlement of the affectees at Harpan Das model village has been started. He also expressed satisfaction that construction work at Wapda offices, residential facilities, roads and other infrastructure at Thor and Shatial by-pass is progressing satisfactorily.
For Diamer Bash Dam Project, acquisition of land, development of infrastructure in the project area and implementation of resettlement as well social action plan are simultaneously underway through the funds provided by the Federal Government. The process of selection of consultants for the project is in the final stage following submission of proposals by three internationally renowned consortiums.
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