Wednesday, March 8 2006 17:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India today (Mar 08 2006) lodged a protest with Pakistan over construction of a dam on Indus river in Northern Areas saying it would inundate large parts of land in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Government of India conveyed through diplomatic channels to Government of Pakistan its protest against proposed construction of Bhasha dam in the territory that is part of Jammu and Kashmir state," External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Noting that the sate of Jammu and Kashmir was "integral part of India by virtue of its accession to it in 1947," New Delhi said the reservoir of this dam, according to media reports, will inundate large parts of land which falls in the northern parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The dam, to be built in Bhasha village in Gilgit, is to be constructed over a period of seven years from now.

The dam will affect over 23,000 people in 32 villages of Gilgit and locals have been up in arms against its construction.

The local people, according to media reports, have been protesting against the construction of the dam.

When completed at a cost of 6.5 billion dollars, the dam will house 7.3 million acre feet water.