Ramban, July 5: The Sawalkakote Joint Action Committee (SJAC) on Sunday reiterated its commitment to protecting the interests of the people of Ramban in the proposed Sawalkakote Hydroelectric Project, while urging the government to proceed with the project in a transparent and time-bound manner.
Addressing a press conference in Ramban, SJAC President Advocate Fairoz Khan said the people of the district have been waiting for clarity regarding the future of the project for a long time. He expressed concern that repeated delays and uncertainty have heightened anxiety among the affected population.
Khan urged the government to ensure that the opening of the project’s tender bids, scheduled for July 9, 2026, takes place without any further postponement. He also called for the announcement of a definite timeline for execution of the project to remove uncertainty among local residents.
The press conference was also addressed by Sheetal Singh Bali, Er. Surjeet Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Abdul Rahim Bali, Shoab Khan and other members of the Joint Action Committee. The speakers highlighted concerns over prolonged uncertainty surrounding issues of submergence, compensation, rehabilitation, employment and infrastructure development.
The Committee maintained that Ramban should not be reduced to merely a reservoir zone while bearing the environmental and social costs of the project. Citing reports that nearly 88 per cent of the projected submergence area falls within Ramban district, SJAC asserted that the district must receive its rightful share of project benefits, employment opportunities and developmental infrastructure.
The Committee also sought official clarification regarding the proposed road connectivity and diversion plans linked to the project. According to SJAC members, conflicting reports and public statements have created confusion among residents and affected families regarding Ramban’s future role in the project.
Raising the issue of land acquisition, the Committee highlighted the plight of landowners whose properties were acquired years ago but either remain unused or whose compensation issues are still pending. It demanded that compensation be paid strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, and called for a legal review of cases involving unused acquired land.
The Committee further stressed the need for a comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement policy for all affected families and sought guaranteed preference for local youth in project-related employment and contractual opportunities. It said the project must generate tangible economic benefits for the people who are making sacrifices for its implementation.
SJAC leaders said the people of Ramban fully support development and nation-building initiatives but cannot accept displacement, loss of livelihood and environmental impacts without adequate safeguards, fair compensation and meaningful benefits.
The Committee placed several demands before the government and project authorities, including the opening of the Sawalkakote tender bids on July 9 without further delay, announcement of a time-bound execution schedule, official clarification on road connectivity and diversion plans, fair compensation under the Land Acquisition Act, review of unused acquired land cases, a comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement package, priority in employment and contracts for local residents, protection of environmental and social interests, and wage and livelihood security for affected families.
Concluding the press conference, the SJAC urged the administration and concerned authorities to address these issues with transparency and seriousness, stating that the rights and aspirations of the people of Ramban must remain central to every decision concerning the Sawalkakote Hydroelectric Project.
