KOHAT, Jan 10: The ground-breaking ceremony of Chanda Fateh Khan Dam near Lachi in Kohat district was performed by the NWFP governor Iftikhar Hussain Shah on Wednesday.

The chief engineer of irrigation department briefed the governor on the salient aspects of the project. He revealed that this earth-filled dam would cost Rs87 million and would have a total storage capacity of 2123 AF water to be used for irrigation purposes. The dam, when completed, will have the capacity to irrigate more than 1,200 acres barren land in and around Lachi. More than half a million population would be benefited from the dam.

The governor on this occasion said that the NWFP government was planning to efficiently utilize the available surface and ground water resources so as to make the waste and barren land in different parts of the province cultivatable.

He cited Chanda Fateh Khan dam, one of the proofs of the government’s these efforts and announced that the government would ensure its early completion as being an outstanding demand of the people of the area. This dam, he added, would bring an agricultural revolution in the entire area.

He said that water resources were being tapped and stored so that the barren land in southern district could be brought under cultivation. “We can resolve most of our problems by using ways and means to develop agriculture sector and even agro-based industries could be set up there,” he concluded.

The NWFP Minister for Irrigation Sham-ul-Mulk, Education Minister Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gillani, District Nazim Malik Asad, elected representatives and officials were also present on the occasion.

HEROIN SEIZED: The Kohat police have seized fine quality heroin from a lady smuggler during checking of vehicles at the new bus stand here on Wednesday.