“We have already lost over $36 billion due to delay in construction of Kalabagh Dam. The government must now consider construction of the dam since both the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank have no objection to funding the project,” said Baig Raj, President of the Punjab Forum in a statement issued here on Friday.
However, the ADB had gone back on its commitment to fund Diamer-Bhasha Dam while the World Bank had already refused to provide money, he said.
A four-year delay in funding added $500 million per year to the $12 billion project and deprived the country of $8 billion in annual benefits at the rate of $2 billion per year, said Raj.
The construction of Kalabagh Dam has been a longstanding dispute among provinces, which forced the government to abandon the project.
“Opposition to Kalabagh is not based on technical grounds, rather it is a political issue being raised to destabilise the country,” Raj said.
Expressing sorrow over loss of life and property in current floods in Nowshera, he stressed that the only way to save the city in future was construction of Kalabagh Dam. He held the Awami National Party (ANP) responsible for the losses as it was one of the biggest opponents of the dam.
Raj was of the view that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh would not turn dry after the dam was constructed, rather these provinces would become barren in absence of this mega project.
“Bhasha Dam will not help irrigate agriculture land as no canal can be made in the hilly terrain while Kalabagh will irrigate seven million acres of land and produce 3,800 megawatts of electricity,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2012.
COMMENTS (15)
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India has constructed over 4,000 Dams on the three rivers on Indian side, whereas on Pakistan side of the three rivers there are various lobbies against construction of mega Dams. Anyone who opposes construction of a Dam for electricity or agriculture is either insane or not sincere with Pakistan.
Punjab should go ahead to build Kalabagh Dam.Sindh and K-P will then realize the benefits it will bring to them in the form of energy and water.
@Wasif Dhoodhwala: "@Saladin Chamchawalla: A message from across the border how sweet."
Stop looking in the mirror otherwise you will keep seeing things "from across the border."
Pakistan is a fertile ground for new "Nazarias" (Ideologies) varying from "Nazaria e Pakistan" an after thought after Pakistan was created, to "Nazariati Sarhadain" another after thought after we surrendered physical borders in 1971. Kalabagh dam has now become "Nazria e Kalabagh" and anyone not agreeing to this suicidal project is either a heretic or an Indian agent. Just waiting for some WAPDA House historian to dig up a "newly discovered" "asle te waddy" copy of 1940 Lahore Resolution (popularly known as "Pakistan Resolution, although word "Pakistan" was never mentioned) declaring Kalabagh Dam as foundation of "Muslim States" of North West India. Don't be surprised and under estimate our creativity; we literally "make up" history; just read columns in various Urdu news papers!
@sanam: "If it was called the ‘Sind Forum’ then it would have been built in a fortnight. My two cents."
Would you put arsenic in your cake mix if it was lableled "sugar"? If you follow your own logic; you would. Right!
@abdussamad: "Saladin Chamchawalla: Interest on long term loans is in the single digits. Something like 1-3%. It’s the rupee depreciation that gets you not the interest rate!"
How can I apply for loan with these terms? I want to borrow few billion $$$s!
we need this dams for sindh and balochistan. the shortage of water has already affecting its people. its time to make water reservoir. at oneside we are having torrential rain and flash floods and otherside sindh and balochistan need water. these dams will not only provide electricity , but also precious water.
By having this dam proposed by the 'Punjab Forum' you are actually killing any chance of building it. If it was called the 'Sind Forum' then it would have been built in a fortnight. My two cents.
They've been talking about Kalabagh dam for more than half a decade now. It's not going to be built any time soon!
Saladin Chamchawalla: Interest on long term loans is in the single digits. Something like 1-3%. It's the rupee depreciation that gets you not the interest rate!
I myself belong to an area that is SAID to be flooded with the building of kalabagh dam. In my opinion id say that first of all people nothings going to happen its just a false rumour. Secondly Id say we should make sacrifices for our nation its ok if it affects 1 million or 2 people but considering the fact that 18 crore people can get electricity? Think positive people!
It's time to buid this for the prosperity of Pakistan ; there should be no other consideration, There should be no let or hinderance by ANP and MQN types.
we can't see that Bash Dam in next 15 years, as our leaders are not committed even not eligible. so for sake of this country we should built both reservoir as it's our future. otherwise we loss that precious land and water as super don't want to see or exit in this world. So i appeal to our generation should voice in favor of dams to save our future.
@Saladin Chamchawalla: A message from across the border how sweet.
wishful thinking sadly...