Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has initiated construction of Waran Canal System as an integral component of Gomal Zam Dam project, located in Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. WapdA Chairman Syed Raghib Shah expressed these views at a meeting with the National Assembly Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi today.
Chairman said that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing US $12 million for construction of Waran Canal System in addition to providing US $80 million to help complete main dam, powerhouse and irrigation system of Gomal Zam Dam project. Dilating upon the additional benefits of Waran Canal System, he said that crop sowing in the area would increase from 26 percent to 87 percent and harvesting intensity from 9 percent to 80 percent, besides boosting the live-stock and making drinking water available to the local populace.
WAPDA Chairman informed the Deputy Speaker that installation of electro-mechanical equipments in Gomal Zam Power House for generating 17.4 megawatt has been completed and power generating units will soon be put on mechanical run, leading to the electricity generation. Construction work on the project is continuing despite financial constraints and law and order situation in the project area, which is reflective of our commitment for harnessing the indigenous water resource vital for progress and prosperity of the country, he added.
National Assembly Deputy Speaker lauded WAPDA for its commitment to complete the project. He said that Wapda would be provided with every possible support to help complete the project, including Waran Canal System. The matters relating to Chashma Right Bank Lift-cum-Gravity Canal Project were also discussed in the meeting.
It is pertinent to mention that Gomal Zam Dam is a multipurpose project with the objectives to ensure availability of water for irrigated agriculture, control floods and provide low-cost hydel electricity. The dam and hydropower component is 99 percent complete while irrigation and flood protection component is also nearing completion. The dam will store 1.14 million acre feet of water to irrigate 163,000 acres of land and generate 17.4 megawatt to contribute 91 million units of electricity to the system.
