HARIPUR: The Tarbela Dam authorities has banned the entry of rickshaws and motorcycles into the dam colonies and other sites without prior permission.

Besides, the inhabitants of different residential colonies and workers visiting different sites and offices daily were also asked to get passes, official sources said.

They said the decision was taken as part of the security measures the government promised with the Chinese nationals working on different hydropower projects, official sources said.

They said following the revision of security standard operating procedures for foreign nationals, including Chinese engaged in different projects, the Tarbela Dam administration has asked the rickshaw drivers and motorcyclists visiting different sites to get themselves and their vehicles registered with the executive engineer civil works 1 by June 13, so they could be issued with permission letters to ply within the bounds of the dam colonies and offices. `Those who fail to get registered would not be allowed to enter the limits of the dam after June 13,` said an official.

He said through another notification issued from the office of superintending engineer services, Tarbela Dam Project Ghazi, all the inhabitants of residential colonies and employees working in different offices and project sites, were also asked to apply for special passes by June 14 as registration and identification of each visitor would be brought on record following the revised and heightened security arrangements for Chinese and other foreigners.

The Chinese firm executing the 1,530MW 5th Hydropower Project at Tarbela Dam suspended work following a suicide attack on a Chinese convoy in Bisham area of Shangla district on March 26. The attack left five Chinese and a Pakistani dead.

The Chinese firm had also laid off its 2,500 workers. However following assurance from the higher government authorities and revision of security protocols Chinese resumed the construction work on project on April 1.