ISLAMABAD, May 2: The government has decided to build four small dams to meet the country’s water and power needs, especially in the absence of any consensus over Kalabagh or Bhahsha dams. Official sources told Dawn that initially Rs4.2 billion had been allocated for the new dams, with instructions to the Planning and Development Division to urgently complete various formalities in this regard.

All the four dams will be constructed in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and feasibility studies have been completed.

Under the programme, work on a major scheme (covering 20 small dams/delay action dams) will be taken up at a cost of Rs3.6 billion at various sites in the NWFP during the next five-year period. The scheme has been declared technically feasible, economically viable and socially acceptable.

The ‘Naryab dam’ will be constructed at Hango, 136km north-west of Peshawar, for which the government has earmarked Rs231 million. Its height will be 105ft and length 4,160ft.

The ‘Sharpki dam’ will be constructed in district Karak, 77km south west of Kohat town, for which the government has earmarked Rs207 million. Its main components will include an embankment, a spillway and an irrigation system.

The ‘Changhoz dam’ will be constructed in Karak district for which the government has earmarked Rs125 million.