Finally, the 969-MW
Neelum-Jhelum Hydroelectric Project (NJHEP), which is one of the largest public
sector power projects in Pakistan, has begun supplying electricity to the
national grid. The run-of-the-river project located in the picturesque Neelum
Valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 200 kilometres northeast of Islamabad, has
been built by a Chinese company. Amazingly, 90 per cent of 68 kilometre long
tunnels have been constructed underground in the mountainous region which is
considered a wonder of engineering.
At the inaugural ceremony, AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan raised
several pertinent issues related to the Neelum-Jhelum project as well as
longstanding issues between the governments of Pakistan and AJK. He politely
reminded Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi that no formal agreement has so far
been signed between the governments of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir about the water
usage charges of this project. AJK, home to several hydropower projects, is
being treated as a rural area and faces long power cuts nowadays while other
major cities of Pakistan are having comparatively much lesser shortage of
electricity, he mentioned with a heavy heart.
The AJK government has been begging for 250 MW electricity since long but
authorities do not pay heed to this demand. The AJK’s prime minister also
highlighted the need for an exclusive power transmission line to ensure
uninterrupted supply of electricity.
Tariq Naqash, a senior journalist based in Muzaffarabad, told TNS that the prime
minister of Pakistan conveniently ignored these demands and did not even bother
to mention them in his speech.
Besides Neelum-Jhelum, a number of hydropower projects are being constructed in
the region such as the 102-MW Golpur and the 48-MW Jagran II, 75 MW projects at
Nagdar and Dawarian while 148-MW Patrind Project was completed last year. The
government authorities are expecting that within next ten years, the Karot,
Kohala, Mahl, Azad Pattan and Dudniyal power projects would generate five to six
thousand mega watt.
The massive projects of hydropower generation significantly enhanced the
importance of AJK as well as local citizens’ level of expectations. The region
is home to five universities, three medical colleges, two cadet colleges and
dozens of other technical centres. Several surveys have established the fact
that AJK is ranked among the top regions in female education and stands out in
the literacy rate at the national level.
Besides, millions of local inhabitants are politically, socially and
economically playing a vital role in the United Kingdom and several other major
countries. Interestingly, most of them are intimately connected with their
families back home and are a major source of remittances which is considered a
backbone of the local economy.
In this context, local people and young political leaders are quite sensitive
about the utilisation of their natural resources, protection of the environment
and direct dividends of these projects. Nowadays, people are bluntly criticising
the inability of successive AJK governments to actively pitch their case before
Islamabad, and compel it to sign and implement a well-formulated agreement on
the Neelum-Jhelum project.
Back in 1967, WAPDA had constructed Mangla Dam and subsequently in 2003 its
level was raised. On both the occasions, proper agreements were signed between
Islamabad and Muzaffarabad which highlighted the responsibilities and
obligations of both the governments.
Despite repeated requests and even protests, WAPDA is not able to strike an
agreement with the AJK government. Sources say that WAPDA is not willing to pay
net hydel profit/water use charges at par with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab
to AJK which is currently Rs1.10 per unit and increases periodically. At
present, it pays only 42 paisa per unit to AJK as water usage charges of Mangla
Dam which is considered peanuts, constituting less than Rs1300 million per year
till now.
The AJK authorities confided that WAPDA is far from fulfilling its other
promises too. It was initially stated that WAPDA would complete the construction
of water supply schemes, recreational parks, basic health units, bridges, water
treatment schemes and watershed management besides making sure that Muzaffarabad
city gets an uninterrupted and clean water supply. All these promises are yet to
be fulfilled.
To mitigate the environmental hazards, it was agreed that a few water bodies
would be built in order to store water which would be released in the dry
season. Sadly, no construction work has been started to develop water bodies.
Likewise, out of the 153 km long 500kv double circuit transmission line, 100 km
runs through thickly populated areas of AJK. Local community representatives
often complain that neither proper compensation was paid to them for their land
nor people were educated how to safeguard themselves from the hazards associated
with the high-power transmission line.
Initially, it was expected that WAPDA would provide jobs to locals once the
projects start but the local civil society actors told TNS that WAPDA has
transferred its employees from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to AJK to work on
these projects instead of giving jobs to locals. It has created discontent among
the local youth and political representatives alike.
The unemployment rate of AJK is higher than other provinces of Pakistan.
International Labour Organisation maintains that youth unemployment rate of AJK
is around 18.44 per cent which is unprecedented. There was an expectation that
local youth might get employment in this project.
The inauguration of Neelum Jhelum project may usher a new chapter of economic
revival in the country. However, its dividends should trickle down to the local
inhabitants. In this regard, all outstanding issues must be resolved on the
basis of justice and parity so that local community could become a partner in
the journey of growth and development instead of an irritant preventing peace
and prosperity in the region.
A joint mechanism, comprising WAPDA and AJK’s authorities, should be formulated
as early as possible to make sure that both sides fulfill their obligations and
responsibilities according to the promises.