Of directives and commands: Sherpao urges authorities to expedite work on small dams

Underground water reservoirs to be introduced in K-P

PESHAWAR: Senior Minister for Irrigation Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao directed authorities to expedite the pace of work on the construction of small dams in the province. According to a handout issued on Monday, Sherpao said this at a briefing on the progress of work done on small dams so far. His aim was to get the dams completed within the stipulated period to uplift socio-economic conditions and make the province agriculturally self-sufficient.

Sherpao said since public money was being spent on the construction of small dams, no delay in completion could be tolerated. “All issues hindering the timely completion of small dams should be taken up with the relevant quarters at the earliest so schemes can swiftly materialise and benefit people,” the handout quoted him as saying.

The senior minister was informed the Directorate General of Small Dams Irrigation Department, since its inception in 2003, constructed 13 dams in K-P till 2014 with storage capacity of 55,889 acres feet and canal command area of 13,362 acres. Before the establishment of small dams construction unit, seven dams at a cost of Rs3123.48 million were completed with storage capacity of 211,920 acres feet and canal command area of 207,900 acres.

Sherpao was also told the new concept of constructing underground water reservoirs was being introduced in K-P – first of its kind.

The innovative scheme would be completed at a very low cost and would cater to water needs of the people for drinking as well as irrigational purposes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th,  2015.