RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nasir-ul-Mulk Monday said that construction work on Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams will be started in fiscal year 2018-19.

After a briefing from Wapda Chairman Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain (Retd) about the issues of water and hydropower sectors in the country, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the measures being taken by Wapda for implementation of its projects in water and hydropower sectors. He was of the view that concerted efforts are needed to overcome the impending water crisis.

The chairman Wapda informed the Prime Minister that Diamer-Bhasha Dam project has a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 MAF and power generation capacity of 4,500MW. Likewise, Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project will have storage capacity of 1.2 MAF water and will generate 800MW electricity.

While briefing on other projects, the Prime Minister was told that other projects include 1410MW-Tarbela 5th Extension, 2160MW-Stage II of Dasu, the 7100MW-Bunji and the stage-II of multipurpose Kurram Tangi Dam among the ready-for-construction projects.

The chairman said that Wapda completed four mega projects from August 2017 onwards to irrigate 72,000 acres of virgin land in Dera Bugti, Balochistan, and add 2,487MW of hydel electricity to the national grid.

These projects included Phase 1 of Kachhi Canal, Golen Gol, Tarbela 4th Extension and Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project.

The Stage-1 of Kurram Tangi Dam project will be completed in 2020, while the 2160 MW Stage-1 of Dasu Hydropower Project, is scheduled to start electricity generation by 2023.