November 17, 2006	Friday	Shawwal 24, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: Work on the Kurram Tangi dam appears to have hit the snag in the wake of reservations over the dam’s height expressed by the NWFP government.

“Reservations of the NWFP government about the height of the dam are under consideration because the federal government believes in consensus on development projects,” federal Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi told a public meeting after inaugurating a newly-constructed 132kv grid station at Sara-i-Naurang and laying the foundation stone of a project to convert a 66kv grid station into a 132kv grid station in Lakki Marwat.

The minister, however, hoped that work on the multipurpose dam, which would cost Rs18 billion, would be started soon because documentary formalities had been finalised.

He said the govt had also finalised a plan to restart work on the Gomal Zam dam project.

He said the government was implementing a comprehensive policy on mega water and power sector projects.

Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Salim Saifullah Khan and Federal Minister for Political Affairs Amir Muqam were also present.

Mr Jatoi announced that 20 villages in the Lakki Marwat district would be provided with electricity facility in the coming financial year under the Village Electrification Programme at a cost of Rs40 million.

He approved 10 emergency transformers’ trolleys for the district – six for Sara-i-Naurang and four for Lakki Marwat.

He also unveiled the plaque of up-gradation of a 66kv grid station to 132kv grid station at Darra Pezu in Lakki Marwat. The project, including 30 kilometres transmission line from the proposed Tajazai grid station, cost Rs66.5 million, and it would provide power to 63 villages and improve voltage in the area.

The up-gradation of 66kv Tajazai grid station to 132kv grid station at Tajazai, Lakki Marwat would cost Rs.266.7 million. The project includes transmission line of 30 kilometres from Sara-i-Naurang to Tajazai.

The Sara-i-Naurang grid station has cost Rs100.86 million.

Mr Jatoi was briefed by the project director of the Kurram Tangi dam on the Kurram River in North Waziristan Agency.

The minister was told that the revised height of the dam was 295 feet with gross storage and live storage capacities of 0.914 MAF and 0.614 MAF, respectively, and generating capacity of 83 MW.

He was told that 13 per cent work on the project had been completed.

Mr Jatoi directed the ministry to call an emergency meeting of stakeholders, including the NWFP government, for consent of the NWFP government on the project and to review its progress.

Salim Saifullah said availability of water for barren land in Lakki Marwat should be ensured and flat rate of electricity should be fixed for tube-wells in the area to boost the agriculture sector.

Mr Muqam announced Rs50 million for development projects in the Lakki Marwat district.