QUETTA, Feb 26: Federal Minister for Water and Power Aftab Ahmed Sherpao has said that Rs56 billion has been allocated for the development of water and power projects in Balochistan , and 583 villages would be electrified by the end of the next month.

Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, the minister said that Wapda was considering to rejuvenate Quetta thermal powerhouse that would generate about 40-mv electricity.

He said that during the current fiscal year Rs53 billion would be utilized for the projects in water sector, wherein Rs3 billion would spent for the improve of power sector.

The minister said that the total cost of the three projects - Kachhi canal, Mirani and Sabakzai dams - was estimated at Rs37 billion and maintained that Kachhi canal and Mirani dam would be completed by the year 2007, however, Sabakzai dam would start functioning by 2005.

He claimed that Ecnec has approved Rs4.5 billion for the RBOD-III Pat feeder affluent link with river wherein Rs5 billion has been allocated for laying of canal and extension of Pat feeder.

He added that Rs288 million has been allocated for flood protection besides Rs436 million has been allocated for delay action dams. He said that Balochistan has been again included in the national drainage programme and Rs2.5 billion would be invested in the project.

About the power projects he said that 583 villages would be supplied electricity. He claimed that 80 per cent of the work has been completed and the remaining would be completed before the end of March.