Private land acquisition required for Nai Gaj dam

A decade-old rainwater storage project expected to be completed in three years

HYDERABAD:

A rainwater storage project, delayed for over a decade, will take another three-year-period to complete once the key hurdle of acquiring approximately 295 acres of private land in Dadu district is overcome. A review meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Hyderabad, Bilal Ahmed Memon, on Monday also discussed interrelated issues like construction of roads and security for the dam, according to a press statement.

The project director informed the commissioner that a vital tract of private land lies in the project's path and that budgetary approval is needed for the land acquisition. The statement did not disclose the cost of acquiring the land or the current total project cost.

Initially launched in 2009 with a budget of Rs17 billion, the project's cost increased to Rs26.23 billion in 2012 and was nearly tripled in 2019 to Rs47.7 billion. Located in Dadu district, the dam is designed to store 300,000 acre-feet of water from streams flowing from the Kirthar mountain range.

Design changes, financial constraints, and disputes between the federal and provincial governments over funding the revised costs have caused repeated delays. However, the commissioner said that the land survey has been completed, and compensation will soon be distributed to affected landowners.

He instructed officials to ensure transparency in both the acquisition and resettlement processes and emphasised the need to provide modern housing facilities to displaced residents. A joint committee, including relevant stakeholders and representatives from NGOs, will be formed to oversee the process.

The meeting also noted that additional funds are required for road construction around the dam. In response, the commissioner directed officials to prepare a detailed estimate to submit to the Sindh Chief Secretary for approval.

Memon also asked the SSP Dadu to develop a five-year security plan for the dam, including the creation of a dedicated security unit, installation of surveillance cameras, and provision of vehicles and other essential resources. He expressed hope that the dam would become fully operational within three years. Chief Engineer Khalid Memon assured the meeting that the development of the command area will be completed within six to 12 months.