PESHAWAR, Dec 29: Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has said the government has evolved a well-directed approach to tap perennial surface water resources to boost agriculture and power production in the province.

“We plan to build small dams that would be used for supply of water for drinking and irrigation purposes, while we have already decided to bring under cultivation the vast barren land in southern districts,” he said while talking to Coastal Power Company Managing-Director Saeedullah Khan who called on him here on Saturday.

Secretary Irrigation and Small Hydel Development Organization (Shydo) managing-director were also present on the occasion.

They discussed the feasibility of various hydel power generation projects in the province and took important decisions in this regard.

The chief minister said Khayal, Matiltan and Darar Khwar were the most suitable sites for setting up hydel power generation projects, adding that feasibility reports of other sites had also been prepared and implementation of the projects would start soon.

He said that the government also had many other options to exploit water resources.

Mr Durrani said the private sector involvement was a key factor that would lead the province towards a sustained economic growth. He said the provincial government could become a partner with the private sector in power production.

LAW AND ORDER: The chief minister said that an exemplary law and order situation was necessary for achieving a durable and sustained development. The MMA government had taken all possible steps to improve the situation, but its efforts would only bear fruits if the elders, notables and elected representatives joined hands with the government against lawbreakers and anti-social elements, he added.