Many people think it is a waste of time writing about Kalabagh dam since it has become a controversial issue and we should think of other alternates. The problem is that there is no real substitute for Kalabagh dam. No other hydel project, or a number of hydel projects can give us 6.1 million acre feet of water in the time that Kalabagh dam can. The water situation will keep getting worse every year until Bhasha dam is commissioned in 12 to 15 years.
Even then Bhasha dam will store only what Mangla and Tarbela dams will have stopped storing by then. It will not irrigate even one additional acre, only the acres which Mangla and Tarbela dams will have stopped irrigating. It will not light even one additional bulb. Bhasha dam at best will be a replacement dam. However, if Kalabagh dam becomes the replacement dam in five years time, then Bhasha dam will become much more productive in terms of additional water for irrigation and additional power output.
KHURSHID ANWER
Lahore
