QUETTA, July 26: The provincial irrigation department said on Tuesday that the construction of new dams was likely to be completed by the end of the current fiscal year in 2006.

Work is currently under way on 72 dams, according to Mumtaz Khan, chief engineer for North Irrigation. The new dams are being constructed in Turbat, Muslim Bagh, Loralai, Qila Saifullah, Zhob and other parts of the province.

In the last few years, more than 236 delay action dams have been built across the province.

“We have constructed small check dams in addition to developing forestation around the delay action dams to enhance their life and keep them secure from silting and soil erosion,” he said.

These check dams will recharge underground water and serve as a source of potable water for the surrounding areas, according to Mr Mumtaz.

With the financial assistance of the federal government, Sabakzai Dam is being constructed in Zhob district. Once the dam is constructed, more than 12,000 acres of barren land will come under cultivation, Mr Mumtaz said.

Wapda is executing the Sabakzai dam project, but when the dam is ready it will be handed over to the provincial irrigation department for maintenance, he said.

Mr Mumtaz said a project worth Rs3.2 billion is being implemented to remodel and extend both the Kirthar and Pat Feeder canals.

Work is also in progress on a 500-kilometre long Kachhi Canal that would upon completion irrigate about 700,000 acres of barren land in Nasirabad, Bolan, Jhal Magsi and Dera Bugti districts.

He said the Mirani Dam project would be completed by December 2006. The dam will irrigate 30,000 acres of land and ensure supply of drinking water to Gwadar port city.

The government will spend an additional Rs2 billion on a pumping station to ensure supply of water from Mirani dam to Gwadar city. —APP