The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) on Saturday inked an agreement, worth Rs 1.026 billion, with Habib Rafique for the construction of primary and secondary roads in New Mirpur, a component of the agreed compensation package of Mangla dam raising project. Brigadier (Retd) Mushtaq Ahmad, General Manager (Projects), North, Wapda, and Habib Ahmad, Managing Director, Habib Rafique signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. Wapda Chairman Tariq Hamid and Member (Water) Muhammad Mushtaq Chaudhary also attended the ceremony.
Tariq Hamid said that a comprehensive as well as an attractive rehabilitation and resettlement plan costing Rs 36 billion had been chalked out. He said that affected people would be provided a lucrative financial and welfare package so that the social and environmental problems could be resolved.
He said a 'new city' and four small towns are being developed for resettlement of the displaced population at an estimated cost of over Rs 8 billion. The new city, adjacent to Mirpur city, having 5000 plots, will be spread over an area of about 1300 acres, while each of the four small towns will be developed on the periphery of the reservoir over an area of about 200 to 250 acres of land for those affectees who will choose to resettle near their original habitats, he added.
It is pertinent to mention that the New City is being developed on 'garden city' concept, as a satellite of existing Mirpur City, with modern infrastructure and public amenities. The zoning plan of the New City has been developed with a central public amenity area surrounded by residential sectors.
Development of New City and four small towns will be carried out under various contracts, covering roads, buildings, public health works, electrification and landscaping. The first contract for construction of primary and secondary roads in the New City has been awarded to Habib Rafique.