Islamabad: Construction work on Mohmand Dam will start in June 2019, a news source quoted Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Lt. General (R) Muzammil Hussain. Hussain shared this information during the meeting of Senate’s Standing Committee on Water Resources presided over by Senator Shamim Afridi.
According to Hussain, work on the project was to start in 2009, but it was delayed. Similarly, work on Baza Dam, which was to be completed in 2009, hasn’t yet been started. The committee members were briefed on various water storage project being carried out in the city by the officials of Ministry of Water Resources and WAPDA.
Balochistan Irrigation Secretary told the committee that the completion of Khazana Dam was delayed due to the chosen location, which was unfeasible for the project. To avoid such issues, WAPDA officials suggested that close liaison and coordination is needed between the provinces and centre; this will also ensure the speedy completion of small dam projects in the country.
The meeting members also pointed out the lack of focus of the concerned authorities on completing water reservoirs in Balochistan. The delays seen in preparation of Mirani Dam’s PC-1 was also mentioned.
