With the completion of Rs 62 billion under-construction Mangla dam raising project, two islands will emerge in picturesque Mangla Dam reservoir here through the construction of two required dykes by Wapda, official sources said.
The dykes project will cost about Rs 386 million--to be borne by the AJK government with the liberal financial assistance of Pakistan government, they said. The dykes will be constructed to provide direct access to the population of the adjoining villages, Panayam and Kharak, in Mirpur subdivision to the rest of the city.
Sources said that all necessary steps were being taken by the government for early rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected families displaced due to the raising of the dam. The package of incentives announced by the government for the rehabilitation of the Mangla dam affectees would be implemented in true perspective and within the stipulated time frame, they added.
Mangla dam affectees were being provided financial compensation of their affected build-up and other property in line with the current market rates. Total 133 villages, including 110 of Mirpur district and only three of adjoining Kotli district would be affected following raising of the Mangla dam, sources said.
They indicated that Mangla dam affectees' rehabilitation and resettlement process was being monitored by authorities. They said that allotment of residential plots to the affectees in New Mirpur city and other under-construction small towns would soon be exercised under phased program by Mangla dam resettlement department soon after the receipt of green signal from Wapda after completion of raising projects.