Sindh voices concerns over Ghabir Dam design

Sindh has raised concerns over the construction of Ghabir Dam in Sindh, and the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) has directed the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) to share the clearance of the dam to remove all provincial reservations. The Exim Bank of China will provide major funding for the dam.
According to sources, Ecnec in its meeting held on September 3, considered the summary of 'Construction of Ghabir Dam', costing Rs 2,111.328 million submitted by Planning Commission and was apprised that the project is one of the 10 small dams proposed to be built with seven to be constructed by provinces and three by Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda). It was noted that the dams will benefit the marginilalised areas of each province through efficient micro irrigation and Ecnec directed that clearance of Irsa should be shared with government of Sindh to address its concerns. Sindh representative had observed that downstream flow of water would be negatively affected after the construction of the dam.
During the meeting, Sindh also accused Punjab of adversely affecting the ecology and quality of water in Sindh. After pointing out that industrial waste from southern Punjab is adversely affecting the ecology and quality of water in Sindh, it was decided that Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Environment should ensure that industries should install effluent treatment plants. It was also decided that projects like RBOD and LBOD be effectively streamlined for the purpose in consultation with government of Sindh and RBOD should include upper Sindh also. Environment along with Industries and Production and Water and Power Ministries were directed to undertake a study aimed at improving the quality of ground water affected by pollutants.
The Planning Commission had submitted the summary regarding the project 'Construction of Ghabir Dam' in Sindh to Ecnec on July 31, 2009 that was approved at a cost of Rs 2,111.328 million subject to clearance from Irsa and the government of Sindh.
Ecnec approved 4 small dams, costing Rs 26 billion, in Balochistan, two small and medium size dams worth Rs 4.379 billion in Sindh, one dam in NWFP and one dam costing Rs 1.352 billion in Punjab. These dams include 'Construction of Ghabir Dam (Sindh)', Construction of Darawat (Baran) Dam Project (Sindh), Construction of Papin Dam Project (Punjab), Winder Dam, Naulong Dam Project, Garuk Storage Dam, Pelar Storage Dam (Balochistan).
Other projects of water and Power Sector are: Bara Dam Multipurpose Dam Project worth Rs 4.805 billion, New Khanki Barrage Construction Project costing Rs 1.5 billion, Sukkur Barrage Rehabilitation and Improvement Project, Kabul River and Warsak Canal System, Satpara Dam Project (Revised) and Sabakzai Dam Project(2nd Revised PC 1 ).