LAHORE: Consensus among Wapda, affectees and stakeholders of the Dasu Hydropower Project has been reached on acquisition of land and infrastructure as well as social sector development in the project area, paving the way for a smooth and speedy implementation of the project.

The consensus has been achieved after about two-month negotiations among the stakeholders.

“It was an old issue and its resolution is good news. Initially, the landowners wanted the same rates for the land acquisition that were paid to the affectees of the Diamer Basha dam. The government fulfilled their demand in the past,” said a senior official, who requested anonymity.

He said later they (affectees) started demanding a change in categories (agriculture, barren, non-barren, urban, rural, etc) and paying them acquisition cost immediately.

According to a spokesman, Wapda chairman retired Lt-Gen Muzammil Hussain visited the project site on Thursday after the signing of document by stakeholders.

He said the chairman reviewed in detail the under-construction right bank access road and a portion of Karakorum Highway in the project area to be relocated.

He said the Wapda chairman held a meeting with the affectees and elders of the area and also lauded stakeholders in reaching consensus. Besides compensating the affectees against their land and assets, a hefty amount of Rs56.702 billion has been earmarked for various development schemes, including communication infrastructure, livelihood support, improvement in education, power and public health sectors, in the project area.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2016