LAHORE, May 26: The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) plans to fill the raised Mangla Dam to its maximum level of 1,242 feet this year subject to availability of water against last year’s test-filling of 1,210 feet.

Briefing Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob and Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majid regarding Mangla Dam Raising Project, Wapda chairman Shakil Durrani said the standard operating procedure in this regard had already been approved by the federal government.

He said the Mangla Dam Raising Project would significantly contribute towards socioeconomic development of the country as it would store additional 2.9 million acre feet of water besides generating 644 million additional units of electricity annually from the existing Mangla Power Station. Additional benefits of the project had been estimated at Rs18 billion per annum, he added.

The Wapda chairman said those affected by the project had been compensated through an unprecedented compensation and resettlement package.

The project was completed at a cost of about Rs97 billion, out of which more than Rs65 billion was spent on compensation and resettlement. Resettlement works include construction of New Mirpur City and four satellite towns having all civic amenities, Mirpur bypass, a bridge over New Bong Canal and Dhan Gali Bridge across the Jhelum.

Later, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majid, accompanied by Wapda Member (Water) Syed Raghib Abbas Shah, inaugurated Islamgarh Town – one of the four model towns developed for the affected people.—Staff Reporter