Wapda projects progress reviewed

In order to review the progress at the Water Wing projects under Vision 2025-National Water and Hydropower Resources Development Programme and others up to February this year, a meeting was held with Chairman Wapda Tariq Hamid in the chair.
A spokesman of Wapda said here on Wednesday that the meeting noted with satisfaction that the development activity was apace as per the set targets at the initiated ten priority fast track mega projects under the comprehensive Vision-2025 programme.
These include the projects to develop additional water resource for irrigation supplies like Raising Mangla Dam, Gomal Zam Dam, Mirani Dam, Sabakzai Dam, Greater Thal Canal, Kachhi Canal, Rainee Canal and Satpara Dam.
Under the projects over 4 million-acre feet of additional water resource for irrigation supplies would become available to irrigate around 3 million acres of virgin fertile land in all the four provinces.
Besides, 160 megawatt of hydroelectric power would also become available from the multi-purpose dam projects.
On the hydroelectric power side, on-going Vision 2025 projects like Allai Khawr, Khan Khawr, Duber Khawr, Jinnah, Golen Gol, Neelum Jhelum etc were also observed as moving ahead as per the targets. The hydropower resource under development would provide around 1,500-megawatt capacity in next few years.
Satisfaction was also expressed over the work advancing as per the schedule at the under studies Basha Diamir Dam without any delay, Akhori Dam, Kurram Tangi Dam, Chashma Right Bank (Lift-cum-capacity) Irrigation Scheme and Sehwan Barrage Complex etc.
The meeting also noted that development activity at other on-going water sector projects was in advance stage.
These include Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project fifth and last unit to come into commercial operation in near future and surface drainage Fordwah Sadiqia and RBOD projects.
The progress at the surface drainage projects showed nearly 54.9 million cubic feet of earthwork for construction of the drains and completion of 43 allied structures by February this year.