Dasu dam to generate 4,320MW electricity, Senate panel told

Water Resource committee directs for optimum use of existing canal system

ISLAMABAD:  

The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources on Thursday reviewed the progress on the Dasu Hydropower Project, the Greater Thal Canal project and the Naulong Dam project in Jhal Magsi district of Balochistan.

The meeting, chaired by Committee Chairman Shamim Afridi, was informed that Dasu Dam project, comprising 12 units of 360 megawatts each, would cumulatively generate 4,320MW electricity.

The civil work on the phase I of the project started in June 2017 and it would generate 2,160MW electricity. The phase I would be completed in 2023, after which the work on phase II of the project would start.

The committee was also informed that the Dasu Dam would be 242 metres high with 570 metres long crest. Rs486 billion was approved for the project in 2014. The committee was informed that 9,875 acres of land would be purchased for the project. The lawmakers heard that so far, 740 acres had been acquired, while the project urgently needed 1,247 acres of land for the civil work.

The committee was informed that the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the land purchase rate in 2015, which the local landowners rejected. Now the Khyber Palhtunkhwa government had fixed new rates. Now the land purchase would cost Rs37 billion instead of Rs 19 billion.

The committee chairman directed for summoning the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary to discuss and resolve the land acquisition issue at the earliest. “The issue must be settled before the land rates go further higher,” he said.

About the Greater Thal Canal, the committee was informed that the PC-1 of the project was approved in 2002 at Rs30 billion. It would benefit Khushab, Layyah, Bhakkar, Jhang and Muzaffargarh districts.

In response to a query from the committee chairman, the official concerned told the lawmakers that only 30% of the consumers were using water from the Mankera Canal because of lack of water resources. Afridi directed for the optimum use of the existing canal system to help the people.

On the Naulong Dam project, the committee was informed that the Planning Commission had stopped further expenses on this project. The committee summoned the relevant Planning Commission officials for lifting of the ban.

The meeting was attended by Senator Sana Jamali, Senator Ahmad Khan, Senator Syed Sabir Shah, Parliamnetary Affairs Secretary Salah Muhammad, the general manager of the Dasu project and other high officials.