Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) is implementing a number of projects in water and hydropower sectors. These projects, on completion, will not only help increase water storage capacity but also decrease electricity deficit in the country.
This was stated by Wapda Member (Water) Syed Raghib Abbas Shah while addressing a delegation of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Ware College, Karachi. The delegation, headed by PAF War College Commandant Air Vice Marshal Azher Hasan, on Friday visited Wapda House. Wapda Secretary Imtiaz Tajwar and the senior officers concerned were also present on the occasion.
The Member (Water) said that initiation of Diamer-Basha Dam, the largest project in the history of Pakistan, is a major breakthrough in water resource development in the country. The project alone will store 8.1 million acre feet (MAF) of water to supplement irrigation supplies besides generating 4,500 megawatt (MW) of low-cost hydel electricity. Some other mega projects, currently in various stages of their implementation, include 7100-MW Bunji, 1410-MW Tarbela 4th Extension, 4500-MW Dasu and 740-MW Munda Hydropower Project, he added. The Member (Water) further said that a programme of constructing small and medium-sized dams in all the four provinces is underway for socio-economic uplift of the backward areas. Earlier, Wapda Hydro Planning General Manager Hasnain Afzal and Pepco Chief Engineer Farasat Zaman briefed the delegation about water and power sector respectively.
The delegation was informed that another 20 million acres of virgin land can be cultivated subject to availability of water. The delegation was briefed that five hydropower projects with cumulative generation capacity of about 400 MW will start contributing to the National Grid by 2012. The delegation was apprised of the new initiatives of Wapda related to canal lining, treatment of saline water, application of high efficiency irrigation system, inland water transportation etc.