President General Pervez Musharraf will perform in a couple of days the ground-breaking of Diamer-Bhasha dam, Pakistan's first mega reservoir in nearly 30 years, that would propel the country's economy and immensely contribute to the efforts for poverty alleviation and creating new job opportunities.
The $6.5 billion project is part of President Musharraf's '2016 Water Vision' that envisages construction of four more major dams--Kalabagh, Akori, Kuram Tangi and Munda.
To be completed in seven years, the Diamer-Bhasha dam would create massive economic activity and usher in an era of prosperity in the country through development of agriculture and industrial sectors.
The construction of the (mega) dam would also help the government in achieving the target of providing safe drinking water to every district by 2007, besides generating cheaper electricity.
The Diamer-Bhasha dam would generate 4500 MW electricity with gross storage capacity of 7.3 million acre-feet (maf) water.
The dam would be located on Indus River, about 315 km upstream of Tarbela Dam, 165 km downstream of Gilgit, 40 km west of Chilas and 210 km north of Islamabad.
The dam would preserve 15 percent of annual flow of the River Indus, covering an area of 110 square km and would extend 100 km upstream of the dam site up to Raiko Bridge on Karakoram Highway (KKH).
It will be the highest structure in the world of 'Roller Compacted Concrete' type, with an estimated life span of 100 years, because of its design that would prevent silting.
The dam would also require realignment of the Karakoram Highway, 100 km of which would be submerged in the lake.
Diamir-Basha dam will be the first mega water reservoir in the country in 30 years after Tarbela dam, which was commissioned in 1976.
Due to fast silting of major water reservoirs and the country's growing agriculture and industrial requirements, Pakistan desperately needs more dams in the face of an impending water shortfall.
According to estimation, total water available is 106 MAF, against the existing requirement of 115 MAF while projected water shortage in 2035 is 30 MAF.
Pakistan's two major dams, Tarbela and Mangla, and Chashma reservoir have already lost about 5 maf due to sedimentation. It is estimated that, by 2012, this loss would increase to 6 MAF.
The World Bank in its report on Pakistan last year cautioned that the country has exhausted its current water capability and needs to take immediate measures to sustain its water-driven economy.
Pakistan only stores 30 days' river water that is well below the average ration maintained by other countries.
The Diamer Bhasha dam would provide about 6.4 MAF of annual surface water storage for irrigation supplies during low flow periods.
Some people are trying to air baseless impression that the building of dams would result in stoppage of water flowing downstream Kotri, while on the contrary, the water reservoirs will make possible the flow of water downstream.
The new water reservoirs would not only make available additional water but would also ensure supply of due share of water to respective provinces.
Every new mega dam will add four to five percent to Pakistan's GDP. That means that one dam will take the country's GDP from 110 billion 115 billion dollars, two dams to $125 billion, and three dams to 135 billion dollars.
Tarbela dam directly benefits three billion dollars per year and 40 percent of total population benefits from it.
The construction of Bhasha is directly linked to the economy, which is greatly dependent on agriculture that makes 25 percent of the country's GDP.
The development of agriculture sector is also vital to fighting poverty as nearly 70 percent of total population lives in rural areas.
Pakistan realised 8.4 percent economic growth last year and is set to post or even surpass 7 percent mark this year. The development of agriculture sector is, therefore, crucial to maintain this upward momentum.
While yield intensification is important for agriculture development, bringing more land under cultivation is imperative to achieve the desired objectives of economic prosperity and poverty alleviation.
Out of 196 billion acres of Pakistan's geographical area, only 77 million acres is suitable for agriculture. Total 44.4 million acres of agriculture land is irrigated, while 10 million acres Barani land is under cultivation,
If water is available, the remaining 22.6 million acres land, which is 29 percent of total suitable area for agriculture, can turn productive.
It is here when the construction of water reservoirs assumes critical importance, as dams are not only needed for agriculture but also for drinking water, both for humans and livestock. Nature has blessed Pakistan with flowing rivers--Indus, Jhelum and Chenab--besides a number of small rivers, but the country does not make use of this vital resource.
About 33 million acres land, which is cultivable, remains without any water supply. The supply of water will change the fate of a large number of people--in fact, the fate of the entire country.
Water is also needed for hydro-electricity as it is the cheapest source of power generation.
The present demand of electricity in the country is above 17,000 MW, which is estimated to cross 22,000 MW by year 2010. A large-scale injection of power thus becomes inevitable, and hydropower will provide the required electricity at affordable price.
Average hydel general unit costs for new projects is Re 1.00 per kilowatt-hour, against Rs 5 per KWH for new oil-based thermal generation. Pakistan's electricity demand is increasing by 7 percent per annum.
Contribution of 4500 MW power from Diamer Bhasha dam would go a long way in alleviating the situation.
The dam would also reduce dependence on thermal power, thus saving foreign exchange.
The water from the dam would provide boost to industry, as it would help in the expansion of industrial sector, which is possible with only more and cheap electricity. It will increase industrial and value-added exports to benefit the common man in generation of employment opportunities and reducing imports.
Additional industrial zones and areas would be developed with availability of more and cheaper power, following the construction of the dam.
The construction of Diamir-Basha dam will significantly contribute to generate employment opportunities, particularly to the locals, especially during the construction and operation of the dam.
The Diamer Bhasha dam would also help in the creation of massive infrastructure, leading to overall socio-economic uplift of the area and standard of living of the people.
Millions of people are affected by floods every year, causing loss to life and property. New water reservoirs, including Diamer-Bhasha dam, would save the lives of millions of people and the billions of rupees being spent on rehabilitation after floods.
The government has planned nine re-settlement colonies to provide accommodation to the people of some 30 villages who would be affected by the dam construction.