Minister reviews progress in water projects

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf reviewed the progress of on-going mega water projects. Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Shakeel Durrani, in a presentation, informed the Minister about the progress on on-going hydel power projects.

Which include Mangla dam raising project, Gomal Zam Dam project, Mirani Dam, Sabakzai dam, Satpara Dam, Rainee Canal, Kachi canal, Greater Thal Canal along with five hydropower projects. He said that overall 66 percent progress had been achieved on Mangla raising project, which would be completed by September.

Similarly, Gomal Zam Dam would be completed in October 2010 and Satpara Dam is scheduled to be completed in June, while Mirani Dam and Sabkzai Dam had substantially been completed, he added.

The meeting was informed that the work on Greater Thal Canal, Kachi Canal and Rainee Canal was in progress and proceeding satisfactorily. The construction of the canals would bring new areas of over 2.50 million acres under irrigation.

The Minister directed the Wapda authorities to expedite work on these projects and complete them according to schedule so that the benefits of investment could start flowing to the people. The meeting was attended by the Secretary and Advisor to the Ministry of Water and Power, Chairman and members of Wapda and senior officials of the Ministry.