Power project: 90% work on Gomal Zam Dam completed

The project will irrigate more than 163,000 acres of barren and semi-arid land.

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has allocated Rs6.47 billion for 82 ongoing project and 14 new schemes.

According to official sources, the government has completed 90 per cent of the work on Gomal Zam Dam, which will irrigate more than 163,000 acres of barren and semi- arid land in the southern districts of K-P and South Waziristan Agency.

Sources said that the dam would irrigate agricultural land in DI Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and South Waziristan. The dam would generate 17.4 MW of electricity as well.

They said the dam will boost hydropower generation in Fata and will protect fertile lands from floods and soil erosion, while turning most of the barren land into arable land. The project will also create job opportunities for locals.

Similarly, the survey of Baizai Irrigation Scheme in Malakand Division and Mardan District has also been completed, which will irrigate 25,200 acres.

The sources also said the floods had badly affected irrigation channels in K-P and special focus would be given for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of these channels.

They informed that the government has promised to complete work on Balambat in Lower Dir and Kandan Jonalia in Chitral during the fiscal year 2011-12, which would irrigate 11,363 acres and 1,200 acres respectively. The government is also focusing on the implementation of work on Palai Dam in Charsadda District to protect the region from floods in the future. It is expected that the dam will irrigate 12,310 acres.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2011.