ISLAMABAD-Government has allocated funds for various water
reservoirs and storage projects in different parts of the
country which will cost Rs 100 billion.
Finance Ministry sources said these projects would be
completed during the next four to five years in different
parts of the country. According to details federal government
has approved two major water supply projects for Karachi and
Quetta worth Rs 12 billion. The water supply project for
Karachi would provide additional 100 million gallon water,
starting from next fiscal year at cost of Rs six billion,
would be completed within two and half years. Likewise,
another water supply programme for Quetta, he said will cost
Rs six billion which would be initiated from new fiscal year
and completed within two years. These projects with an initial
allocation of Rs one billion each would provide an emergency
relief to the urban population, the sources said. Another
project, Gomal Zam water reservoir and storage project in NWFP,
will cost Rs 13 billion which would have storage capacity of
4.5 million acre feet. About the rumours for delay in
launching of Gomal Zam Dam he said government will implement
major projects including Gomal Zam Dam on fast track. Gomal
Zam Dam will irrigate vast land of Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and
Kulachi in NWFP. Mirani water reservoir and storage project in
Baluchistan, he said will cost an amount of Rs 7 billion with
completion period of three years. In Punjab, the official said
Greater Thal Canal project will be completed with total cost
of Rs 25 billion with an initial allocation of Rs half billion
with five years completion period. This project will help
irrigate 1.5 million acres land. The sources said Rs one
billion was also allocated for examining the feasibility of
raising Mangla dam adding, the study would be completed next
year. About Bhasha Dam, located in northern areas, the sources
added said it was included in ten years perspective
development plan and would be formally started by 2004. Right
Bank Outfall Drainage, approved by the National Economic
Council (NEC) will cost an amount of Rs 14 billion which is
scheduled to be completed within four years with an initial
allocation of Rs 0.8 billion for the first year. For all water
reservoirs and storage programme and Right Bank Outfall
Drainage programme, he said an amount of Rs 4.1 billion would
be released in the first year, Rs 24 billion in the second
year while Rs 47.1 billion the third year for their
completion.
