Diamer-Bhasha Dam committee reviews land acquisition and resettlement challenges

GILGIT: The Implementation Committee on Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams convened its eighth meeting to address ongoing issues related to land acquisition and resettlement for the Diamer Bhasha Dam project.

The committee, which was established by the Supreme Court in July 2018 to ensure the timely completion of the Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams, has been holding regular meetings to monitor progress and resolve challenges. The latest session was chaired by Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed, who serves as both the committee chairman and the chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).

During the meeting, the commissioner of Diamer-Astore provided an update on the implementation of decisions made in the previous session. The briefing focused on compensation matters for those affected by the project, with particular attention given to issues surrounding the ‘missing and double chulha (household) package’.

Additionally, the general manager of Wapda responsible for land acquisition and resettlement informed the committee about several ongoing concerns. These included unresolved land matters, the process of land mutation, issues related to Ginni Pozzolan, the Tangir hydropower project, and a boundary dispute along the right bank of the River Indus.

The committee also reviewed progress on the ‘2025 Agreement’, which had been reached between stakeholders in connection with the dam project. The meeting aimed to ensure that all outstanding issues are addressed promptly to facilitate the smooth continuation of the Diamer Bhasha Dam’s construction and associated resettlement efforts.