The decision of the Pakistani government to take the WB on board for consultation on the proposed change in the dam design has proved to be very expensive for WAPDA. The changes escalate the project costs by $2.06 billion.

People’s opposition

The Diamer-Basha would render over 30,000 people displaced and inundate 31,580 acres of barren and 1,600 acres of arable land in Diamer district. Resettlement of the displaced is a vital aspect as individual landholdings are relatively small and the rocky terrain leaves very meagre land fit for cultivation. Relocation to far flung areas makes preservation of their unique identity and culture a complex issue.

Royalty is a sensitive issue, wherein the storage structure is to be situated in Chilas in PoK while the hydro-electric power station is planned at Basha in the NWFP. Royalty, as per Article 161(2) of Pakistan’s Constitution accrues to the province in which the hydro-electric station is situated and not the province where the storage structure is built, which bears the brunt of displacement. There are natural misgivings about the government’s promises, given the atmosphere of insecurity in the region which lacks political representation.

Future of big dams

The WB review of its funding to the project sets a precondition for adhering to internationally accepted safety norms and has forced Pakistan to finally take serious note of social repercussions. The Pakistani Government’s stand in going ahead with the project despite fervent protests by the people of POK only showcases its apathy towards the region. It also highlights the urgent need for large storage structures, which are seen as the panacea for tackling the impending scenario of water scarcity in the region.

... contd.