KBD must not be built against the will of Sindh's people: WAPDA Chief

: The Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Zafar Ahmed has maintained that implementation on the Constitution and Water Accord 1991 is necessary for the integrity and solidarity of the country and the Kalabagh Dam will not be built against the will of the people of Sindh. The Chairman WAPDA said this while briefing the representatives of Sindh Chamber of Agriculture and Sindh Abadgar Board and later talking to media persons here on Thursday.
He informed that distribution of water and power is now being managed by IRSA and power distribution companies and no one can take a drop of water without the permission of IRSA. During the current year, the Prime Minister handed over the distribution of Water of River Indus to WAPDA and WAPDA is running the distribution of water through telemetry system at the point of Bisham, of Gilgit-Baltistan, he said. Under the system, he informed WAPDA communicates the information to IRSA about the quantity of water after melting of glaciers for the release of water and its storage in dams. He dispelled the impression of any cheating during distribution of water by WAPDA or IRSA, adding that the theft of water could not be possible now. The Chairman WAPDA underlined the need for upgrading the irrigation system, proper distribution of water to this system as well as storage of rain and flood water in order to meet the demand.
He informed that the construction of Darwat Dam is in last stage and after completion, the rainwater will be stored in this dam. Besides, the government has also planned the construction of a water storage where rainwater from Kheer Thar Mountain being received through Gaaj Canal will be stored near Ranni Kot, he added. He said that Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) Project could not come up to expectation as only 40 per cent work on the project has so far been completed despite spending of Rs 33 billion. The project was estimated at Rs 26 billion, however due to delay in completion, the cost rose to Rs 50 billion, he said and added that the work on this project has been suspended since last two years. About Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) Project, the Chairman WAPDA informed that it was designed for 3600 cusecs of water, however, this project had passed 4600 cusecs of water in the past.