The Lahore Chamber of commerce and Industry has expressed grave concern over holding Punjab and federal government responsible for water crisis in Sindh by some political elements. The LCCI President Abdul Basit said in a statement on Saturday that those people are responsible for water crisis in Sindh who oppose the construction of most important water reservoir and power generation project 'Kalabagh Dam'. Their accusations are nothing more than sowing seeds of hatred and promoting discord between the provinces. The water shortage in Tarbela and Mangla dams is due to lack of rains and delay in glaciers melting, he said.
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce has already expressed their fears that the water crisis would hit the agriculture sectors of Punjab and Sindh as country has no sufficient water reservoirs while water storage capacity in Tarbela and Mangla dams has considerably reduced. Therefore 'Kalabagh Dam' is crucial for the country but unfortunately those elements are chanting slogans against this project who are blaming Punjab and Federation for water scarcity in Sindh.
"It would be better if Anti-Kalabagh elements play their positive role for early construction of this mega project instead of erecting obstacles and fuelling fire of provincial disharmony," he added. The LCCI President said the Kalabagh dam is inevitable for the progress and prosperity of the country as it will produce power at an average cost of Rs 2/kwh. This cheap power will annually replace costly power generation worth of approximately Rs 300 billion with consequential savings of costly oil imports.
There is no threat to Nowshehra city as it is 150 feet above the water level. He said that Kalabagh Dam is not only beneficial for Punjab alone but it would be helpful in eradicating poverty from Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The dam would irrigate 800,000 acres of land that is located 100-150 feet above the Indus river level in the province, he added.
He said that this land could only be brought under cultivation if the river level is raised which is only possible if Kalabagh Dam is built. He said that creditable studies have revealed that pumping water for potential cultivable land would cost farmers Rs 5000 per acre per year while canal water after construction of Kalabagh Dam would cost only Rs 400 per acre per year. He said that additional water would also be available for Sindh in all seasons.
All the stakeholders should show maturity on the issue of Kalabagh. It is the high time that all undue stands should be brushed aside to save the country from that era of darkness. Unlike Pakistan, India is constructing dams at every possible site. It has left us decades behind and the time to come does not promise any thing rewarding either, he maintained.
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