‘Hydel projects vital for economic development’
WAPDA chairman briefs K-P governor on progress of ongoing water projects.
LAHORE:
Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Raghib Shah said that water sector projects were vital for socioeconomic development of the country, particularly of backward and remote regions such as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
He expressed these views in a meeting with Governor of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar. According to a press statement, Shah said that Wapda was working on a number of large and medium sized dams in the region including Gomal Zam Dam in South Waziristan, Kurram Tangi Dam in North Waziristan, Munda Dam in Mohmand Agency and Bara Dam in Khyber Agency.
Dilating upon the benefits of the projects, he said, these multi-purposes schemes will ensure availability of water for irrigation, help mitigate devastating floods, and generate low-cost electricity. In addition, employment opportunities will also be available to the locals during the construction, as well as operation and maintenance phases of these projects. The job availability to the tribesmen will help alleviate poverty in the area, he added.
Briefing the governor on the progress of the projects, Shah said that Gomal Zam Dam project was likely to be completed in January 2013, as the dam and hydropower component were 99% complete, while progress on irrigation and flood protection component of the project stood at 47% .
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2012.
Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Raghib Shah said that water sector projects were vital for socioeconomic development of the country, particularly of backward and remote regions such as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
He expressed these views in a meeting with Governor of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar. According to a press statement, Shah said that Wapda was working on a number of large and medium sized dams in the region including Gomal Zam Dam in South Waziristan, Kurram Tangi Dam in North Waziristan, Munda Dam in Mohmand Agency and Bara Dam in Khyber Agency.
Dilating upon the benefits of the projects, he said, these multi-purposes schemes will ensure availability of water for irrigation, help mitigate devastating floods, and generate low-cost electricity. In addition, employment opportunities will also be available to the locals during the construction, as well as operation and maintenance phases of these projects. The job availability to the tribesmen will help alleviate poverty in the area, he added.
Briefing the governor on the progress of the projects, Shah said that Gomal Zam Dam project was likely to be completed in January 2013, as the dam and hydropower component were 99% complete, while progress on irrigation and flood protection component of the project stood at 47% .
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2012.