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The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) chairman on Monday briefed a Senate body on the looming water crisis in the country, saying that the construction of the controversial Kalabagh Dam was "critical" in the face of the severe scarcity of water in the country.
Wapda Chairman Muzamil Hussain made the observation as he briefed the Senate Forum for Policy Research on the country's water crisis, highlighting the need for the urgent development of water reservoirs.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan is currently facing a severe scarcity of water and the country's name has appeared on a list of the world's 15-most water scarce nations at the fourth spot.
Hussain said the Kalabagh Dam will have the capacity to hold 6.1 million acre-feet (maf) of water and generate 3,600 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
The chairman additionally said that if construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam is not started by 2018, the water crisis may worsen.
"Punjab is willing to make necessary sacrifices for the Kalabagh Dam," former senator Mohammad Anwar Bhinder said in response.
"To consider the Kalabagh Dam project as anti-Pakistan is incorrect. It will benefit the whole country," he added, referring to the long-running political disputes over its construction.
However, Awami National Party leader Afrasiab Khattak asked that no further discussion take place on the controversial project as it had been "rejected" by three provinces.
Khattak said that every Wapda chairman had spoken about the dam, and regretted that such discussions were still taking place.
The forum, agreeing on the necessity to pay heed to the water crisis, decided to send a list of suggestions regarding the matter to the Senate.
"For 20 years various, water projects have been under discussion but nothing has been materialised," the forum said.
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Comments (43) Closed
Aug 28, 2017 05:07pm
This is exactly what should be called National Interest. All the parties that oppose Kalabagh are already cornered. Need some one who can take the decision and get the dam built.
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Aug 28, 2017 05:09pm
Yes, it is a must .....
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Aug 28, 2017 05:11pm
This is so sad. Pakistani needs to I should sayhave to build the dam. Is there any evidence it will cause dangerous ramifications for the provinces, or this just rhetoric?
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Aug 28, 2017 05:12pm
This project is of great national interest. It must have been completed by decades! Politics of pocket and local interests should be kicked back for this project...
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Aug 28, 2017 05:14pm
The most aggressive channel of news
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Aug 28, 2017 05:14pm
Kalabagh Dam should have been build a long time ago, but due to various reasons, it wasn't done before. It's time now that we take this project seriously and implement as quickly as possible. This will be good for Pakistan and controlling water flow within our region.
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Aug 28, 2017 05:14pm
Dear Chairman try some other dams. Vast potential of building other dams. Keeping in view the track record of Punjab lobby, there is hardly any trustful thing . There is already a feeling of isolation among the smaller provinces due to more focus on the Punjab in terms of development and funds release. Pakistan is one and all provinces are need be seen with one angle.
Long live Pakistan
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Aug 28, 2017 05:20pm
It's not a good idea unless & untill the remaining provinces. We want greater Pakistan & not a greater punjab.
It's very obvious that it only benefit Punjab as federal govt will never compensate the people who will loose & endanger their land & no royalty or rights over the water and electricity, as we can see in the cases of Sui gas and water royality issue of KP.
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Aug 28, 2017 05:29pm
Why ANP is not willing to allow construction of Kalabagh dam, can some explain what are their reservations, what will be the advantages and disadvantages of the dam if being constructed.
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Aug 28, 2017 05:29pm
Pakistan needs to manage its water resources properly. Water and Electricity would be serious issues with the growing population.
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Aug 28, 2017 05:32pm
@Farasat Ali yes and punjab will never sacrifice i am sure
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Aug 28, 2017 05:44pm
New dam should be build to cope with the future water crises.All the provinces show some seriousness and make consensus on this project
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Aug 28, 2017 05:46pm
It is pathetic to hear WAPDA chiefs giving statements about a dead horse. There are multiple other projects by which water can be saved. Large dams have become part of history and no country in the world is pursuing them. It is only so called chiefs and certain group of people who have been favoring it. Looks like they aren't ready to accept the truth behind the project and have been sending propagandist statements to keep it highlighted....
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Aug 28, 2017 05:51pm
It looks no political party is serious about this issue anymore. Thanks Chairman Wapda for realising the importance of Kalabagh dam once again.
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Aug 28, 2017 06:02pm
The decission should be made with consensus of all on this dam and it is all due to lack of trust among the provinces.
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Aug 28, 2017 06:12pm
All dam should be made including Kalabagh. No politics on Water.
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Aug 28, 2017 06:23pm
"Punjab is willing to make necessary sacrifices for the Kalabagh Dam," former senator Mohammad Anwar Bhinder said in response.
Begin with what were the pre-conditions of the other three provinces and what all is Punjab agreeing to?
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Aug 28, 2017 06:53pm
Its high time that we make it out top priority and get going with the construction, without it there's no future
any way.
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Aug 28, 2017 06:58pm
here we go again.
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Aug 28, 2017 07:21pm
Kalabagh Dam must be built without further delay as it would generate thousands of MW of cheap electricity and store water for agriculture, just like Mangla and Tarbela Dams. Objections raised by some politicians were malicious as they were not based on facts. All feasibility reports including the World bank, said it was absolutely feasible and would greatly benefit Pakistan. If it has been built as originally planned not only would the cost been recovered, but it would have benefitted the economy by over $100 billion by now. These corrupt politicians should not be allowed to work on India's agenda, by harming Pakistan's progress and prosperity.
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Aug 28, 2017 07:22pm
Pakistan means Sindh Balochistan Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Any major Govt.Project naturally requires
consensus of all these Provinces.
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Aug 28, 2017 07:25pm
Senate Forum for Policy Research on the country's water crisis, highlighting the need for the urgent development of water reservoirs, should know that, a mega water storage dam in upper Sindh had been planned and basically designed with a storage (only) capacity of 22 MAF, which is almost 3 times the storage capacities of all other storage dams in the country. I have seen the basic designs which are lying in Wapda archives since 50 years hopelessly waiting for its fate.
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Aug 28, 2017 07:25pm
It needs to be constructed urgently...
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Aug 28, 2017 07:39pm
With 35% capacity loss of Tarbela reservoir due to accumulation of sediments, construction of other large reservoirs is urgently needed for enhanced use and conservation of Indus water. This will also help in improved irrigation releases and additional generation of cheap, reliable electricity.
We have not constructed a dam with large storage since Tarbela Dam in 1976 and as a result face electricity shortage, and simultaneously, water scarcity and devastating floods.
The well-being of those affected and mitigation of environmental concerns is paramount. These should be dealt with transparently using available technical know-how and engineering solutions instead of regional political brinkmanship.
There is no time for discussion except to finalize and agree technical and environmental aspects of Kalabagh Dam. Dragging this issue further will be an abdication of responsibilities to our people and future generations. We need to act now, preserving the interests of all provinces.
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Aug 28, 2017 07:41pm
Its really need of the hour..we will suffer and suffer enormous if we do not initiate work on it.
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Aug 28, 2017 07:44pm
I'm very concerned of some of the political party's anti Kalabagh dam view, I wonder who is supporting these parties in their endeavour to oppose the dam which is so critical for Pakistan's interest. One brave leader needs to take these anti Kalabagh dam leaders head on and get on with this project. It is a must for Pakistan's future.
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Aug 28, 2017 07:58pm
Just build the dam, ANP is a trator party and has no leg to stand.
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Aug 28, 2017 08:04pm
Just do it enough talks.
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Aug 28, 2017 08:08pm
Can someone enlighten me if there is any pinching issue these days from which government wants to divert public attention by using Kalabagh dam name?
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Aug 28, 2017 08:25pm
Now it is too late...
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Aug 28, 2017 08:25pm
@Sher Q. Baluch: Absolutely correct warning. In fact, Kalabagh was planned to be operational in 1990 with its storage capacity only enough to offset the capacities lost to silting at Mangla and Tarbela dams. But, the crux of the matter is, Kalabagh Dam would have provided 'Raised Diversion' of floods to a mega dam planned with preliminary feasibility studies and designs in the lower Punjab-Upper Sindh regions with a storage capacity of 22 MAF. That would have saved us from flood havocs and would have irrigated the entire barren areas of Sindh for almost indefinite periods. Whiter the selfish politicians!
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Aug 28, 2017 08:33pm
@Zain yes there are ramifications . So you want to take water from KBD to deserts and grow sugar cane, rice in the deserts of Punjab and Sind. Does it make sense at all to ruin the fertile plains of Peshawar valley for that. What measure s are part of the design to mitigate silting in KBD. Surely you know that Warsak is all silted up and Tarbela has lost 35 ℅ of its capacity already, much before the forecast.
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Aug 28, 2017 08:58pm
Rejoinder to my early comment regarding Kalabagh and referring to statements made by the Chairman (Wapda) about Bhasha Dam.
It makes sense for the timely construction of Bhasha Dam because this is essential to prolong the life of Tarbela reservoir. It will trap sediments, help in water conservation and increase electricity generation by 4,500 MW (18,000 GWh annually).
Considering that Bhasha project is unusually large with its prohibitive cost at $15 billion and perhaps more plus the relocation cost of a section of the KKH Highway, efforts should be made to implement the dam construction in phases. This will allow early alleviation of electricity shortages and provide revenue for its construction thus reducing the cost burden on the public.
The above is achievable within the next 5 years. Pakistani contractors can handle the phased construction and their involvement in national mega projects should be encouraged and maximized.
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Aug 28, 2017 09:43pm
@ali ahmed, its never too late for correcting any wrong.
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Aug 28, 2017 10:18pm
@M.Saeed
But that reservoir will not generate any electricity. Plus any such reservoir will inundate large tracts of land since it necessarily has to be shallow. There would be concern about water logging & salinity also.
There is nothing wrong with KBD and it should be built as soon as possible.
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Aug 28, 2017 10:37pm
@Sher Q. Baluch Although your emphasis in your comment is on the speedy completion of the Kalabagh Dam.
I must compliment you on your last sentence of your comment where you mention,"We need to act now
preserving the interests of all provinces".
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Aug 28, 2017 11:19pm
The blame for squarely damaging Pakistan interests goes to legislators and politicians of KPK and Sindh. They always objected Kalabagh Dam, and today Sindh is a major sufferer. Still consensus be made for dams if these dum brains can feel what's going to happen in future.
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Aug 29, 2017 02:16am
First insure water in Kotri downstream, due to salt water intrusion , thousands of acres of mangrove forest are damaged. Karachi is most vulnerable to environmental disasters. People of Sindh never accept this monster project. Our land of thatha and badin is barren due to no supply of water and intrusion of sea water also a major contributor.
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Aug 29, 2017 03:58am
So, to built KalaBagh Dam, Gov. should have to adopt some effective measurements rather than leave it for further political discussion for future. Give the comprehensive price to owners of their lands and one job of each person of family rather than give them concession or royalty because in this way government will create a gape for more political debate for future and every political party will do politics on Kalabagh Dam again and also only landlords (sardar) will get the benefits rather than common men.
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Aug 29, 2017 04:08am
ok lets wait for more 70 years when situation like Somalia and Ethopia then everyone realized. No, more politics.
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Aug 29, 2017 07:02am
I don't have much hopes for this dam in a country where political consensus means establishment of a cartel. Though it is necessary, I would dare to say essential but the fact is it wouldn't be built in next 1000 years.
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Aug 29, 2017 09:11am
Why to close KBD, question for ANP? Issue is not closed despite ANP or other nationalists in sind. Subject should be debated as a technical subject and it's technical viability which is already proven. Politicians should stay out of such matters if they cannot do bate with logics instead of vested interests they serve.
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Aug 29, 2017 10:00am
A project that will give benefit to only a handful of people at the cost of devastation to the majority and wrongly planned and invested. We have already wasted precious time on this. It always gets sprung up by few people of only Punjab province that have direct interest in it. I wonder why media even publishes any news about this dead horse. Do they not any other issues to discuss??,
Every body knows how corrupt WAPDA is and what havoc these distribution companies play while billing consumers and the chief of most corrupt institution is telling us people what benefits this country. What an irony... World has moved on to produce energy from other sources like wind, solar, nuclear and everyone is building small dams cost effective, efficient, and benefiting majority and we are still trumpeting the old crappy beats believing that Kalabagh is the solution to our woes, will this nation ever take the road to sense and sensibility....
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