LAHORE, Nov 17: Wapda chairman Tariq Hameed said on Friday that Mirani dam would bring a socio-economic revolution for the people of that area. He said at a press conference, the project had been completed in stipulated time with a capacity to irrigate 33,000 acres. Besides an expected boost in fisheries business, the project would also offer job opportunities to the area people, he said.

The chairman said a 40-kilometre road from Turbat to the dam would also play a role in development besides a 33-KV transmission line to provide electricity to the area.

Water of Dasht River, where the dam was constructed, had been in no use earlier, he said, adding that the water would now irrigate the land bringing socio-economic revolution in the lives of the people.

Mr Hameed said the dam had been completed at a cost of Rs6 billion. Of the total budget, he added, Rs1.5 billion were paid to compensate the affected people.

The 127 feet high dam has a gross storage capacity of 302,000 acre feet of water while live storage capacity was 152,000 acre feet, he stated. He said the project would benefit 85 per cent average cropping intensity in the area.

Four more projects in Balochistan - Naulong dam in Jhal Magsi, Hingol and Winder dams in Lasbella and Sukleji in Bolan - were part of a development plan for the province, the chairman said. Hingol dam was on top priority because of its capacity to generate electricity and water storage, he continued.