ISLAMABAD:The construction work on DiamerBasha and Mohmand Dams will be started during the current fiscal year.
This was informed by Chairman WAPDA MuzammilHussain during a briefing to the caretaker Prime Minister Justice retired Nasir-ul-Mulk in Islamabad on Monday.
WAPDA Chairman said that DiamerBasha Dam Project has a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 MAF and power generation capacity of 4500 MW. Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project will store 1.2 MAF water and generate 800 MW electricity.
He said that the 1410 MW- Tarbela 5th Extension, the 2160 MW-Stage II of Dasu, the 7100 MW-Bunji and the Stage II of multipurpose KurramTangi Dam among the ready-for-construction projects.
Dilating upon the efforts made by WAPDA to meet the increasing requirements of water and electricity, the Chairman said that WAPDA completed four mega projects from August last year onwards to irrigate 72, 000 acres of virgin land in DeraBugti, Balochistan and added 2487 MW of hydel electricity to the National Grid.
These projects included Phase 1 of Kachhi Canal, GolenGol, Tarbela 4th Extension and Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project. Stage 1 of KurramTangi Dam Project will be completed in 2020, while the 2160 MW – Stage 1 of Dasu Hydropower Project is scheduled to start electricity generation by 2023.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the measures being taken by WAPDA for implementation of its projects in water and hydropower sectors. He was of the view that concerted efforts are needed to overcome the impending water crisis.