Kalabagh dam: ‘Operational control should be given to Sindh’

WAPDA chief says KBD is beneficial, misunderstandings need to be removed

LAHORE: The authority is ready to work closely with the business community in order to address stakeholders’ reservation, especially in Lahore, said Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Zafar Mehmood while emphasising the need to construct the Kalabagh dam (KBD).

“Operational control of KBD should be given to Sindh to address its reservations and the province’s role in IRSA should also be more powerful,” he said during his visit to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Friday.



Mehmood said that the dam would be beneficial for all stakeholders and would not be a threat for the people in Nowshera or Peshawar valley as is widely feared.

“KBD would produce 1,550 million units of electricity annually. A wrong perception has been created through rumours while facts and figures convey something quite different.”

He revealed that work on various hydel power projects is under way and three will be commissioned next year, which would generate around 2,500MW of electricity, helping to curb load-shedding to a great extent.

The chairman informed that the Neelum Jhelum project of 960MW, 4th tunnel of Tarbela of 1,410MW and Golen Gol hydropower project of over 100MW would be operational during 2017, while work on Dasu dam is also ongoing. He said the land acquisition process for Diamer-Bhasha dam had also been completed.



Meanwhile, LCCI Senior Vice President Almas Hyder said that the share of hydropower in the energy mix should be enhanced to bring down cost of production that would ultimately benefit the economy.

“Projects of national importance should not be unduly controversial. The policy of criticism for criticism is damaging the national cause.”

Expressing his unconditional support the KBD, the LCCI official said that it would help economic growth, bring down the oil import bill and also reduce trade and current account deficits.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2016.

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