Wrong data delays Sabakzai dam work by one year

Water and Power development Authority's incorrect figures on sedimentation in Zhob River have not only delayed construction of Sabakzai dam in Balochistan but have also compelled the officials to redesign the project. Source told Business Recorder that though the Sabakzai dam was planned on River Sawar, Wapda had provided sedimentation data of River Zhob. Sabakzai dam, which is being constructed in District Zhob, will have the capacity 0.02 MAF and it will be completed by December 2006.
The project, to cost Rs 1,010.325 million, was approved for submission to Ecnec in September 2003 with the observation that sedimentation data would be collected and the design of the project modified, if needed.
The earlier data, according to sources, was provided in hurry after the Pashtoons expressed reservations on initiation of all mega projects in Baloch areas. In a hurry, the government not only declared the small Sabakzai dam a mega project but also asked Wapda to provide data which provided the sedimentation data of Zhob River, while the project was planned on Sawar River. Wapda had collected data from Balochistan irrigation department, which was not accurate. Later on, Wapda hired its own consultant for carrying the study and now it has provided the exact report on sedimentation.
The project was planned to be completed in December 2005 but now it would be completed in December 2006.
Sources said that the project has now been remodelled and its height has been raised from 100 to 114 feet. It has been also decided that the power house, which was included in the initial design for generation of 100 KW electricity would be removed from the remodelled dam plan.
Sabakzai dam would irrigate 6680 acres land in Zhob District. The 114 feet high dam would discharge 33 cusecs water.
The dam would ensure supply of clean and hygienic drinking water to the people besides production of 80 to 100 tons fish annually.
The dam would store flood water and will mitigate flood losses.
The entire cost of the project is to be borne by the government of Pakistan through PSDP allocation.