MANSEHRA: The Upper Kohistan district administration has demolished around 70 houses that were obstructing the smooth execution of the 4,300-megawatt Dasu Hydropower Project.
“We have so far demolished around 70 of the 500 houses being evacuated, as payments under the enhanced self-managed relocation (kitchen) package have already been made to their owners,” Upper Kohistan Deputy Commissioner Azizullah Jan told reporters on Monday.
He said work on one of the country’s largest hydropower projects was progressing steadily, adding that houses and other structures located within the construction site and the future dam reservoir were being removed.
“We have so far paid Rs3.5 million each to more than 200 affected families, while payments to the remaining nearly 300 families are also under way,” he said.The deputy commissioner said the enhanced self-managed relocation (kitchen) package had accelerated work on the project, as houses and land acquired in Suo, Shatial and other affected areas were now being vacated and demolished with the consent of their owners.
“We launched this operation on the directives of Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and Hazara Commissioner Fayyaz Ali Shah to expedite the execution of the Dasu Hydropower Project, which is vital to addressing the country’s growing energy shortfall,” he said.
The official said payments under the kitchen package were being disbursed smoothly and that the district administration was fulfilling its responsibilities efficiently in line with the chief secretary’s directives.
“It is encouraging that families receiving compensation under the kitchen package are voluntarily extending full cooperation to the district administration, enabling the smooth execution of the Dasu Hydropower Project,” he said.
