ATTOCK, Aug 31: Provincial minister for irrigation and power Aamir Sultan Cheema has said about 60 new mini dams, 100 link mini dams and 200 village reservoirs will be constructed in the Potohar region in the next 10 years.
This he said during his visit to the under-construction Basal Dam in Attock district. Basal Dam is being constructed by the Small Dams Organization at the cost of Rs28 million.
The provincial minister directed the irrigation department to conduct a survey in the region so that sites could be identified for construction of the new dams.
He said these small dams would play a pivotal role in meeting agricultural needs, providing drinking water, energizing ground water level and promoting fisheries in the region.
Mr Cheema said in the Potohar region, as many as 31 mini dams including nine in Attock district were catering to the needs of the region. After implementation of the future plan, agricultural produce will be enhanced manifold in the Barani areas, he added.
He said the government was committed to providing basic facilities to the people and the uplift of agriculture in the province. The ongoing projects will help enhance the socio- economic conditions in these areas, he added.
The provincial minister also constituted a committee for enhancement of the height of Basal Dam.
District Nazim Major Tahir Sadiq (retired), Naib Nazim Malik Sameen Khan, irrigation and power secretary Javed Majeed, Attock district coordination officer Syed Mohammad Javed, chief engineer Qazi Anwar Ali, project director Javed Afzal Khan, executive engineer Abiduddin, Pakistan Muslim League, Attock, president Sadaqat Ali Khan and union council Nazims were also present on the occasion.
OUR REPORTER FROM RAWALPINDI ADDS: The Punjab minister for irrigation and power has said that adequate water resources will be provided to bring maximum area under cultivation.
The minister made this observation during a briefing held by Small Dams Organization in Islamabad on Saturday to review the new irrigation projects.
The minister directed the officers of irrigation department that they should remain in contact with the elected representatives of their respective areas and incorporate their views and suggestions in the development strategy.
He also asked them to fully adhere to the “directives” of the Punjab chief minister about different development schemes so that the public grievances could be resolved without any delay.
Raja Rashid Hafiz, parliamentary secretary, highlighted the water scarcity problems confronted by the inhabitants of various localities of Rawalpindi.
Chaudhry Nazar Hussain, Parliamentary Secretary for Education said that exclusive Dams are required for the Salt Range areas of Pind Dadan Khan to avert the vast area from water logging.