'Irrigation, power department to play role to overcome energy crisis'

Lahore: Punjab Irrigation Minister Syed Dilawar Abbas has said Irrigation and Power Department will play its role in overcoming the country's energy crisis. He also said initially five hydel power units were being installed at canals with 25 megawatt power generating capacity.

He met Water and Power Development (Wapda) Chairman Shakil Durrani on Thursday. Irrigation and Power Secretary Arif Nadeem was also present. The energy crisis came under discussion in detail and it was agreed that the construction of new water reservoirs, including the Kala Bagh Dam, was inevitable to overcome the energy shortages. The power authority chairman told the minister about the water situation in the Tarbela and Mangia Dams.

Abbas said careful use of available water for irrigation by applying modern technology, the agriculture produce could be enhanced manifold. He said in Punjab 20 small dams were under construction at a cost of Rs 4 billion, out of which 10 had been completed while the construction of nine others would be completed by June 2008. The minister also said a strategy was being evolved to introduce the drip irrigation system at a large scale in the province.