Integrated mechanism needed to harness water resources

A more integrated mechanism is needed to harness water resources across the country to achieve water, food and energy security, said Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Muzammil Hussain.

Briefing a delegation of the National Security Workshop, National Defence University (NDU) on Friday, the chairman said that Wapda had been constructing eight mega projects including Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam and Dasu Dam to improve water availability and supply as well as increase the share of low-cost and environment-friendly hydroelectric power in the national grid.

These projects, scheduled to be completed one by one from 2022 to 2028-29, will cumulatively add 11 million acre feet to the gross water storage capacity, mitigate floods, irrigate 1.6 million acres of land and generate 9,000 megawatts of hydel electricity.

Responding to a question, the Wapda chairman told the delegation that Wapda was executing the projects at an estimated cost of $26 billion.

An innovative financial plan has been prepared to arrange funds for the construction of DiamerBhasha and Mohmand Dams by exploiting its own financial strength with less dependence on the national exchequer