ISLAMABAD, Nov 30: The ministry of water and power has planned to build small dams in order to ensure enhanced water storage capacity to meet the shortage of water, especially in Punjab and the NWFP, and to cope with growing agriculture requirements in the country.

The decision appears to have been taken in haste after government’s failure to undertake any single medium or large water reservoir in the country due to financial constraints or political opposition.

The country is passing through acute shortage of water as the conflict on water release from various water reservoirs among Punjab and Sindh has become a source of concern for the government.

A latest report says the net release from Tarbela, the largest water reservoir in the country, has been reduced by 11,000 cusecs due to the ongoing drought conditions in the country.

According to an official announcement, new small dams will be constructed in all the four provinces to meet local as well as national requirement of water keeping in view the expected shortage of reservoirs in the future.

The ministry has undertaken a study to identify sites for the construction of small dams all over the country aimed at meeting the water requirements.

A national water strategy has been prepared keeping in view the future needs of the country.