MANSEHRA: A World Bank team on Wednesday examined work on the 4,300-megawatt hydropower project in Dassu here and said the government was sincerely working to address the grievances of the people affected by it.

“We are satisfied with the progress of work on this mega energy initiative. As for your issues, the government is trying to address them on priority basis,” World Bank team leader Masood Khan told a 80-member jirga comprising the project-affected families.

Mr Masood said the World Bank preferred funding schemes supported by the local communities.

Dassu hydropower project general manager Javed Akhtar, who was also in attendance, said the local residents should extend support to the government for the early completion of the project, which would help meet the country’s energy needs.

Bank team says govt trying to address grievances of project-hit people

“I assure you that we will live up to your expectations and address your grievances. You should also extend complete support and cooperation to us for successfully executing the project,” he said.

Mr Akhtar said he was optimistic that that project would be completed within the deadline and thus, helping address the country’s energy woes.

Earlier in the day, the team also examined work on the project.

Mr Akhtar and representatives of the companies working on the project briefed visitors about the progress of work.

TWO KILLED: Two people were killed in separate incidents here on Wednesday.

Mohammad Nasir died and his friend Adnan suffered injuries after a speeding car hit their motorcycle near College Doraha.

The two were bound for Mansehra from Dodial.

The police registered an FIR and began investigation to arrest the car driver, who fled after the incident.

Also in the day, a boy was found dead in a forest of Hawa Galli area in Oghi tehsil.

Hamid Nawaz had gone to fetch water from a nearby fountain but didn’t return. The family later found his body in a pool of blood in a thick forest.

The police registered FIR and began investigation. However, no arrests were made by night.

SHOPS GUTTED: A huge fire gutted five shops and a hotel in the main Balakot market on Wednesday.

Partial damage to the offices of three village councils adjoining the burnt shops was also reported.

However, the fire didn’t harm public life in the incident caused by electrical short circuit.

Firefighters and traders put out the fire after an effort of many hours.

Trader Mohammad Farooq claimed the fire, which broke out at his godown in Raza Bazaar before gutting shops, had caused him and others a loss of over Rs5 million.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2017