Mangla Dam extension: Affected people warn of protest

By Tariq Naqash in The Dawn, Sept 17
MUZAFFARABAD, Sept 16: People affected by Mangla Dam raising project have asked the federal government to fulfil its commitment by constructing a bridge in their area, threatening that if the pledge was not met, they would launch an agitation and hinder the storage of additional water in the reservoir.

The warning came amid apprehensions that the Federal Planning Commission was disinclined to provide funds for the cable-stayed bridge linking Rathua and Haryam villages in the Mirpur district.

The 7km-long bridge, which includes approach roads (2km on each side), and a Greater Water Supply Scheme for the New Mirpur City and hamlets are part of a package offered by the federal government to the people affected by the dam’s extension.

These two projects are being executed by the federal government through its Public Sector Development Programme, while the rest were being constructed directly by Wapda.

Rathua-Haryam Bridge figures in Section 6.1 of the agreement which the central and AJK governments as well as Wapda had signed in 2001 to pave way for commencement of the dam’s extension.

So far, Rs450 million have been spent on the bridge, mainly on its designing and acquisition and construction of approach roads.

“We have learnt that the Federal Planning Commission is dragging feet on this important project.

Let it be very clear that we will not tolerate further delay and fight all those who are averse to this project,” said Nazir Inqilabi, a leader of the affected people.

Mr Inqilabi spoke to Dawn from the town of Islamgarh, located on the outskirts of Mirpur, where he said a meeting of the affected people, attended by many former heads and members of local bodies, was held to discuss the issue.

“The unrest among the affectees should be removed by resuming work on this project or else they would not allow storage of (additional) water in the dam,” he warned.

According to official sources, the original cost of Rathua-Haryam Bridge was around Rs1.394 billion. However, after its design was wetted by a Canadian firm on the advice of the Planning Commission, the cost swelled to Rs5.8 billion.

The revised project was sent to the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) two months ago but sources say the forum seems to be reluctant to finance the project on account of its swollen cost. The CDWP is scheduled to meet in Islamabad on Thursday.

Mr Inqilabi also threatened that the affected people would hold protest demonstrations in British towns as well against the “inordinate delay” in construction of the bridge.

However, when contacted, AJK Minister for Mangla Dam Affairs Chaudhry Mohammad Yousaf maintained that the project was intact and since its cost had escalated it was in the process of approval at the competent forum.

“People make allegations due to lack of information. Work on the project will begin soon after the competent authority grants approval to the revised project,” Mr Yousaf said.
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