Darawat dam to be handed over to Sindh: WAPDA

LAHORE: Muzammil Hussain, chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), on Tuesday said that Darawat dam was ready to be handed over to the Sindh government for its operationalisation.

“The WAPDA is committed to optimal development of water resources in Pakistan in view of rapid surge in water requirements in the country,” said Hussain while speaking at an official briefing during his visit to Nai Gaj and Darawat dams located in Dadu and Jamshoro districts of Sindh respectively. 

“Unfortunately owing to a fast growing population and a rapidly decreasing capacity of the existing water reservoirs, Pakistan has turned into a water-stressed country and can soon become water-starved if remedial measures are not taken.” 

The chairman said that under a two-pronged strategy the WAPDA was striving hard not only to initiate construction work on mega water sector projects namely Diamer Basha and Mohmand dams in the shortest possible time but also to expedite pace of work on medium-sized ongoing projects including Nai Gaj dam.

“Pakistan needs to initiate construction work on one mega dam every decade in addition to constructing small and medium-sized dams,” Hussain said.  According to a WAPDA spokesman, during a briefing after the visit, the chairman discussed in detail with the project management various ways and means to expedite pace of work on Nai Gaj dam project.

“Hussain was also briefed that the construction work was lagging behind the schedule mostly due to insufficient allocation and release of funds contributing factor,” said the spokesman.  The official added the chairman was apprised that the project could be completed in two years provided the required funds were made available.

“The chairman was briefed that the spell of rains last year and that of this year had a good impact on filling of the dam,” the spokesman said and mentioned that Nai Gaj dam project was being constructed on Gaj River, 65-Kilometer North-West of Dadu.