ISLAMABAD, Jan 15: Projects worth Rs150 billion have been planned to meet the water and power requirements of the country.

This was stated by Wapda chairman, Lt-Gen Zulfiqar Ali Khan, while talking to newsmen after an Open Kutchery held at the Community Centre, Aabpara, on Wednesday.

Responding to a question about a project to raise reservoir capacity of Mangla Dam, he said: “The project worth Rs59 billion is under progress and a compensation package has been offered to government of AJK as well as the affected persons.” The project would contribute not only to meet water requirement for irrigation but also electricity, he said.

He said the feasibility report of Bhasha Dam would be finalized by February to determine viability of the project.

Work on Gomal Zam Dam and Mirani Dam was in progress and millions of acres would be irrigated through these projects, he added.

Total cost of Gomal Zam Project would only be Rs4.35 billion against an estimated cost of Rs12 billion.

Regarding various projects of canals, he said, after the finalization of feasibility reports, three major projects of canals including Greater Thal Canal, Kachhi Canal and Raini Canal were planned for increasing area of millions of acres of agriculture land of the Province of Sindh. Work on Greater Thal Canal had already been started after completion of requirements, he said.

However, Ghazi Barotha Hydel Project having capacity of 1,450 MW and project of Pihure Canal were already nearing completion, he added.

A number of other projects of water and power sector including Satpara Dam, Subakzai in Balochistan, Neelum Jhelum Hydel project having capacity of 969 MW, Allai Khawar and Chutiari Reservoir would begin as early as possible, he said.

Regarding the issue of Ghazi Barotha Hydel Project, he said, cases of corruption and fraud worth billions of rupees were referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for further investigation.

“A two-part tariff for industrialists and farmers is under consideration aimed at providing a special relief package to both as incentive,” he said.

According to details of the proposed two-part tariff package, the chairman said it would start from 5pm to 10pm and from 10pm to 6am low tariff would be introduced for industrialists and farmers during 10pm to 6pm to boost the national economy, he said.

The chairman said one more package was also under progress and according to that a new low tariff would be introduced for those who utilize huge electricity.—APP