The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is working on more than 20 projects in water sector with cumulative water storage capacity of about 13 million acre feet (MAF) and power generation of more than 21,000 MW.
An official source said completion of these projects would not only increase water storage capacity to help improve per-capita water availability in the country but also enhance the ratio of low-cost hydel electricity in the national grid. Dilating upon the details of WAPDA projects, the sources said that WAPDA had completed six water sector projects from last year onwards adding 4.13 MAF of water and 323 MW of hydel electricity. These included Mangla Dam Raising, Khan Khwar, Jinnah, Allai Khwar, Gomal Zam and Satpara Dam. Amongst rest of the projects, Neelum Jhelum, Golen Gol, Keyal Khwar, Tarbela 4th Extension, Diamer Basha, Dasu, Mohmand Dam and Bunji Hydropower Project are to name a few, they added. For optimum utilisation of the water resources, they said WAPDA was also constructing small and medium-sized dams in all the four provinces and FATA in addition to its mega projects. They said Darawat Dam has recently been completed, while construction work has also been initiated on Nai Gaj, Naulong and Ghabir Dam projects.