Rs.1.244b resettlement plan for Mirani Dam affectees approved
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Federal Ministry of Water and Power has approved Rs.1.244 billion for the resettlement action plan for Mirani Dam affected people of five villages to provide them land, housing, infrastructure and other compensation at 30 miles west of Turbat across Dasht River in Makran Division.
The government will provide Rs.714.6 million for the purchase of 17,973 acre land for the resettlement among the total amount which also included the land for the agricultural purpose in Turbat Dasht area of Balochsitan.
The official of Ministry of Water and Power Ministry told reporters that five villages have been submerged in the reservoirs during the ponding, which also included 4160 concrete houses, mud shelters and huts. In the reservoirs total 56,108 trees were also affected.
The officials said that the resettlers would be provided with sufficient investment resources and opportunities to share this project benefits with the affectees.
He said that the people which were dislocated from the five villages would be provided the support to improve their living standard and income earning capacity.
The Mirani dam which is operative from 15th June 2007 has cost Rs.5.81 billion. Due to construction of dam, environment of the area has been affected due to submergence of agriculture land, dislocation of the inhabitant and water rights of lower riparian.
The federal government has also chalked out another five year comprehensive plan for the development of Mirani Dam command area in Makran region which will cost Rs. 650 million. The project of Ministry of Food and Agricultural and Balochsitan Agriculture and Cooperative Department will supervise it for the development of barren land, orchard and fishery.
The official said that under the project 33200 acre land would be developed in Turbat, Dhaht, Tump, Mand, and Buleda Tehsil and parts of Kolwah Tehsil for the agricultural activities. He said that on the right bank canal 118 water courses would be constructed which will irrigate 20,800 acres land while 74 water courses would be constructed on left bank canal which will irrigate 12,400 acre of land.
The sources said that for the fruit production, land would also be prepared for the production mangoes, dates, citrus, other fruits, cotton, vegetable with introduction of trickle irrigation system. The officials said that the resettlers would be provided with sufficient investment resources and opportunities to share this project benefits with the affectees.
He said that the people which were dislocated from the five villages would be provided the support to improve their living standard and income earning capacity.
He said that after the completion of Dam which inauguration ceremony held recently will also develop its allied structure including canals, distributaries, minors and network of watercourses for the supply of irrigation water from minors to the command area.