ISLAMABAD, Feb 8: The government has directed the Water and Power Development Authority to ensure the mobilization of the contractors for the Rs64 billion project for the raising of the Mangla Dam by May 7.

Sources told Dawn that Wapda had been directed to pay compensation to 500 people affected by the original Mangla Dam project during the current month and to 2,000 people in April and May.

The deadlines have been set by a committee presided over by Power Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, that was constituted to oversee the implementation of the project.

The committee decided in a recent meeting that compensation should be paid to all the affected people after verification. An Azad Kashmir government official would accompany the Wapda teams during the verification of the affected people in Sindh and Punjab to finalize a list.

The committee decided to advertise the payment of compensation to develop the trust of the people and set a precedent for future projects. The government has directed the relevant authorities to ensure that plots are preferably allotted to families together in the new Mirpur city "to preserve their biradary system" and consult the AJK Assembly members in the committee while recruiting staff for the settlement process.

The Kashmir Affairs and State and Frontier Regions ministry has been asked to coordinate with the defence ministry to resolve the issue of handing over of land for the relocation of the army grassland and vacation of that area for the construction of the townships.

Wapda would furnish monthly progress reports on the construction of the grid stations. The AJK government has been asked to conduct a feasibility study and carry out the construction of the Mirpur-Islamgarh road bridge, for which funds would be provided by the federal government.

The AJK administration would submit a proposal for a feasibility study for water supply and sewerage system of the old Mirpur city and four hamlets. The AJK has been advised to provide a proposal regarding water requirement so that the matter could be taken up with the Irsa.