The work on 26 small dams in Balochistan could not start due to unavailability of Rs 4.65 billion foreign aid committed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), it is learnt. The project for construction of 26 small dams was proposed to be financed by the USAID but no funds were provided.
The project for construction of 26 small dams was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in its meeting held on 9-12-2010 at a cost of Rs 4.65 billion for financing under the financial arrangement of USAID. The construction work on the dams was to be completed in two years.
According to official sources, the USAID diverted funds towards emergency relief for the affected people of 2010 catastrophic floods in the country.
The government of Balochistan has requested the Federal government to change its operational procedure, ie, financing of the project from foreign financing to local financing.
The 26 dams are as follows: Sang-e-Kalat dam at a cost Rs 208 million, Nahar Kot dam at a cost Rs 264.4 million, Romro dam at Rs 179.27 million, Dhudar dam, at Rs 74.37 million, Katki Khaiser dam at Rs 160.36 million, Shashlok dam at Rs 75.98 million, Tariki dam at Rs 455 million, Thank dam at Rs 82.2 million, Hushtri dam at Rs 147.32 million, Lohi dam at Rs 289.45 million, Makhal dam at Rs 63.51 million, Murgha Faqirzai dam at Rs 248.6 million, Malgagi dam at Rs 298.56 million, Sajj Barecha dam at Rs 101.56 million, Dargai dam at Rs 192.18 million, Dulay Kanak dam at Rs 181.13 million, Asimabad dam at Rs 62.72 million, Mirdadzai dam at Rs 122.84 million, Kaluwaal dam at Rs 111.12 million, Nivan dam at Rs 189.29 million, Manzarai dam at Rs 175.1 million, Tang Noshair dam at Rs 66.52 million, Murghabal dam at Rs 84.72 million, Shairg dam at Rs 73.78 million, Dabbar dam at Rs 53.54 million, and Zawa Storage dam at a cost of Rs 108.98 million.
According to documents available with Business Recorder, the implementation package-1 comprising 20 dams is currently underway and is in advanced stage of completion. On the request of Balochistan government, Ministry of Water and Power has submitted working paper titled "Construction of 100 Delay Action Dams in Balochistan Package-II (26 dams)" to Planning Commission of Pakistan for approval as package II.
An amount of Rs 500 million has been allocated in federal PSDP 2011-12 out of which Rs 200 million has already been re-appropriated to "Construction of 100 Dams in Balochistan Package-I". The remaining amount of Rs 300 million is available for the subject project and its release recommended for start of work on sub-project during current fiscal year.
Balochistan government said that it may start work on those sub-projects which are ready for implementation and complete them within available funds of Rs 300 million during financial year 2011-12 while remaining dams may be completed subsequently, documents add.
According to official sources, Exim Bank of China had committed to providing funds for construction of small dams.
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