WAPDA to complete projects that help irrigation: Chairman

Lahore: The Phase-1 of Kacchi and Greater Thal canals will be completed by the end of 2008, while Phase-1 of Rainee Canal is likely to be completed by March 2009. Upon completion of Phase-1, these projects will help irrigate about 5,71,500 acres of virgin land in the underdeveloped areas of Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh provinces.

This was told in a meeting chaired by Wapda Chairman Shakil Durrani here at Wapda House on Friday to review progress on water and hydropower projects. Member Water Muhammad Mushtaq Chaudhry, General Managers of the Water Wing, Project Directors and Consultants attended the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Wapda chairman said that in the wake of Wapda's bifurcation, the Authority could devote full time to the development of water and hydropower projects.

Wapda is now totally focused on harnessing water resources, which, in turns, has increased its responsibilities vis-a-vis constructing water reservoirs and hydropower projects, he added. The chairman, commending the pace of work on the projects, particularly the raising of Mangla Dam and Neelum-Jhelum, directed the authorities concerned to further accelerate the pace for timely completion of these projects.

While reviewing the security measures taken at various Wapda projects, he directed that foolproof security be ensured on all projects, particularly where Chinese and other foreign companies are working, including Neelum-Jhelum Hydroelectric Project, Gomal Zam Dam etc.

He further said that the development work on New Mirpur City and three other townships be expedited so that the plots to the victims of Mangla Dam Raising Project could be handed over in due course of time.

The chairman revealed that Munda Dam and Mitaltan Hydropower Project will now be executed by Wapda instead of private sector and all efforts will be made for timely completion of these important projects.

During the detailed deliberations made in the meeting, it was told that three high-head hydropower projects, commonly known as Khwar Projects in Kohistan area of NWFP with an accumulative generation capacity of 323 MW, would start contributing to the National Grid by early 2009 onwards.

The meeting was also apprised that the canal system of Mirani Dam has been handed over to the Government of Balochistan couple of weeks ago. The meeting was further told that the survey pertaining to land acquisition for Kurram Tangi Dam is expected to be completed within three months.