Bhasha Dam to help cope with energy crisis: Wattoo

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Main Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo has said Diamar Bhasha Dam is a mega project started by the government in order to provide relief to the masses. After completion it will help cope with the looming energy crisis in the country, he added while presiding over a meeting on the progress of compensation to the project's affectees.

The project manger briefed the minister on the up to date progress and apprised him of the issues involved. The minister directed the authorised concerned to remove the hurdles if any on the urgent basis. He said that this project is vital for our energy needs and it should be taken very seriously.

It was decided in the meeting that Gilgit-Baltistan government will provide government owned 19,000 acres land for construction of the dam within the period of two months and land for the construction of the 100 kilometres affected portion of Karakoram Highway will also be provided in the same period.

The minister said that to provide security to the staff and installations on the project Gilgit-Baltistan scouts will be deployed through consultation with the Ministry of Interior. A separate meeting in this regard will be held.

The minister directed the project management to keep close liaison with the Gilgit-Baltistan government and meet fortnightly with the chief minister and chief secretary to settle the issue quickly.

End.