PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has asked the officials concerned to prepare plans for construction of dams in the province.

Presiding over a meeting here on Monday, he said that dams were important for the future of the province. Senior Minister Sikandar Hayat Sherpao, Adviser to Chief Minister Mian Khalqeeur Rehman and officials concerned attended the meeting, said a statement.

The meeting was briefed about land status of the province, history and structure of small dams’ organisation, performance of the body, progress on various plans and future proposals. The meeting was informed that out of 6.53 million acres area, 0.0774 million acres was irrigated through small dams in the province while irrigation of 0.804 million acres was fixed as target.

The participants of the meeting were informed that construction of 16 dams had been completed in the province that would irrigate 37,862 acres of land. It was said that work on construction of 15 dams was in progress. The feasibilities and designs of 32 dams had been completed while 50 more sites were identified for the purpose.

The chief minister said that dams were important for the future of the province. The construction of dams would irrigate million acres of barren land. He said that dams could play important role in storing additional water, providing clean drinking water, minimising threats of floods and power generation as well.

Mr Khattak asked for finalising plans for construction of dams that could be used for power generation. He said that such projects could help in achieving self-sufficiency in agriculture and overcoming energy shortage in the province.

The chief minister said that power generated through small dams would be provided to local people at a reasonable rate. It would help to boost local economy, he added.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2016