NWFP plans mega development plan

Peshawar: The NWFP government has planned a multi-pronged mega development plan, worth Rs 2.909 billion, for North Waziristan Agency of the tribal region. The plan is to include Flood Protection and Reclamation of Agriculture Land projects, Surface Irrigation Schemes, Delay Action Dams and Hydle Power Generation Units along both sides of the 90 km long Tochi River right from Sherani to Khajuri area.

In this connection, NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani was given a detailed presentation on feasibility of the plan here at the Governor House here on Tuesday. After finding the project feasible having multiple economic, social and monetary benefits for the tribesmen of North Waziristan Agency, the Governor directed the FATA Secretariat to go ahead with initial preparation of the plan, to be put before the competent forum for approval.

Giving the presentation, Director, Irrigation FATA, Siraj Ahmad Khan, said that under the proposed plan, with three different flood protection and reclamation projects, more than 3700 acres additional land would be reclaimed, besides protecting nearly 15,000 acres agricultural land and 23,000 houses along the Tochi River banks.

Under the project, the bed width of the river would be reduced to 300, 200 and 500 feet against the existing 700, 1200 and 1400 feet respectively. The plan also proposes 34 surface irrigation schemes along Tochi River basin costing Rs 524 million that would irrigate 13,200 acres land and benefit a population of 70,000.

Another part of the plan is the construction of 10 delay-action dams on the tributaries of Tochi River that would irrigate 200 acres land and benefit 1500 population. The project would cost Rs 30 million. The plan further proposes to install 10 hydel power generation units, costing Rs 10 million. These locally installed small-scale units would electrify 200 houses and benefit 2000 population.

The presentation was based on a survey carried out by the Irrigation Department of FATA Secretariat on the directive of the Governor to restrict the flow width of the Tochi River to the minimum required to pass floods and reclaim large area on both sides of the river for agriculture purposes.

The Governor, appreciating the plan, described it as cost-benefit, having enormous rate of economic returns. 'Infusing such a big amount into the economy of North Waziristan will certainly have multiple impacts on the overall socio-economic condition of the people of the area', he said, and added that the plan would not only provide job opportunities to the local people but would also benefit them on many counts in the agriculture, irrigation and power sectors. The Governor directed the Planning and Development (P&D) Department of FATA to propose similar portfolios for all tribal agencies and FRs as well.

Those who attended the presentation were Secretary to Governor Arbab Muhammad Arif, Secretary P&D, FATA Zafar Hasan, Amir Shahbaz Chief Engineer Works and Services FATA and other concerned officials of FATA Secretariat.