There is little disagreement on that we need to build both small and large dams to prevent water wastage and to generate cheap hydel power to meet this country's fast growing energy deficit. The last government has been long on the rhetoric vis-à-vis a number of dam projects, and, regrettably, short on action.
As a Recorder Report points out, the plan was to build Diamer-Bhasha, Munda, Kurram Tangi as well as Kalabagh and Akhori dams by 2016. But there is little progress on any of these projects. So far as the Kalabagh dam is concerned, of course, it remains deeply controversial. NWFP has certain reservations about Akhori dam as well.
These projects must wait until the government is able to address the concerns of NWFP and Sindh and build a consensus on the subject. However, the snail-paced movement on the other projects is unacceptable at a time the country faces a serious energy crisis and scarcity of irrigation water is a major cause of inter-provincial acrimony. It is also worthwhile to heed the fact that experts worldwide are warning of water scarcity assuming crisis proportions in not-too-distant a future, underscoring the need for governments to undertake effective water conservation strategies.
Our report reveals that most of the funding earmarked in the PSDP for the various dam projects during the last two years has remained unspent. Which means while the work remains at a standstill, the project costs are fast increasing. In fact, according to the report, the projected cost of Diamer-Bhasha dam estimated at $6.5 billion in 2005 has now gone up to $8.505 billion. It is going to increase further due to delay in land acquisition for the dams. Notably, a sum of Rs 10 billion was earmarked in the PSDP 2007-08 to acquire land for five dams, including Munda, Kurram Tangi and Kalabagh. Most of this money too remains unutilised.
If the new government's stated resolve is to be trusted, this unhappy situation is about to change. Our report says it is getting ready to formally start a campaign to build all these projects, save for the much criticised Kalabagh with which, it has been wisely decided, it is best to deal through a slow and careful process of persuasion.
Considering that currently the ANP - the strongest critic of the two controversial dams - is part of the ruling coalition at the Center as well as in the NWFP, and the PPP heads the government in the province of Sindh - the other opponent of Kalabagh - it may be an opportune time for addressing these two provinces' concerns about the dam. For now, the government must go ahead with its planned campaign aimed at securing funding commitments from foreign donors and local sources for dam construction. It hardly needs saying that these funds must be spent in a timely fashion, showing discernible on-the-ground progress. All efforts must be made to ensure that, with the exception of Kalabagh, all other dams are completed on schedule, ie, by 2016.
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