Referring to the fast-decreasing per capita water availability in Pakistan, which has come down from 5650 cubic meter in 1947 to about 1000 cubic meter in 2013 due to rapid increase in population and natural phenomenon of sedimentation in water reservoirs, Wapda member (Water) said that the situation can only be improved by enhancing water storage capacity in the country.
He further said that water resources could also be utilised to add low-cost hydel electricity to the system. The Engineers Institution Pakistan (IEP) in collaboration with the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers Pakistan (IEEEP) on Friday organised a seminar here at Wapda House in connection with World Water Day to highlight significance of water resources and the challenges faced by the water sector in Pakistan.
The seminar presided over by Wapda Member (Water) Hasnain Afzal, was attended by a large number of engineers and water sector experts. Afzal said that Wapda is working on more than 20 projects in water sector with cumulative water storage capacity of about 13 million acre feet (MAF) and power generation capacity of more than 21,000 mega watt. Completion of these projects will not only increase water storage capacity to help improve per-capita water availability in the country but also enhance the ratio of low-cost hydel electricity in the National Grid.
Dilating upon the details of Wapda projects, he said that Wapda had completed six water sector projects from last year onwards adding 4.13 MAF of water and 323 MW hydel electricity. These projects included Mangla Dam Raising, Khan Khwar, Jinnah, Allai Khwar, Gomal Zam and Satpara Dam. Amongst rest of the projects, Neelum Jhelum, Golen Gol, Keyal Khwar, Tarbela 4th Extension, Diamer Basha, Dasu, Mohmand Dam and Bunji Hydropower Project are to name a few, he added.
For optimum utilisation of the water resources, the Member (Water) said, Wapda is also constructing small and medium-sized dams in all the four provinces and FATA in addition to its mega projects. He apprised that Darawat Dam has recently been completed, while construction work has also been initiated on Nai Gaj, Naulong and Ghabir Dam projects. He also underlined the importance of better management of water resources, efficient irrigation system and high efficiency irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler by the agriculture sector to make maximum benefit of the precious water resources. He also spoke of the new initiatives of Wapda including treatment of saline water to be used for agriculture sector.
Prominent water sector engineer and Advisor Diamer Basha Dam, summing up the proceedings of the seminar, said that co-operation for better management of water resources is the need of the hour. IEEEP President Tahir Basharat Cheema, IEP President Jamshaid Rizvi, Chairman Lahore Centre Syed Khalid Sajjad, Secretary Headquarters Sultan Mehmood and Secretary Lahore Centre Ameer Zameer Ahmed Khan also addressed the seminar highlighting importance of water in all spheres of life.