Pakistan announces major dam construction plan

Federal Minister for Water Resources, Moin Watto, has provided a detailed overview of the government’s ambitious plans to expand the nation’s water storage infrastructure. In a recent session of the National Assembly, the minister outlined a multi-tiered strategy that includes the construction of both major and smaller dams, with a significant financial commitment from both federal and provincial governments.

A cornerstone of this strategy is the federal government’s pledge to finance and construct 18 new major dams. These projects are estimated to cost a staggering 1,036 billion rupees and are designed to significantly boost the country’s water security. According to the minister, upon their completion, these dams will collectively create a colossal storage capacity of 8,231,984 acre-feet. This substantial increase in water reserves is expected to have a transformative effect on the agricultural sector, as it will make an additional 346,447 acres of land viable for cultivation, thereby contributing to food security and economic growth.

The minister also provided an update on the progress of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, a project of immense national importance. He confirmed that the dam is set to have a massive water storage capacity of 6.4 million acre-feet. This project is not only crucial for water storage but is also expected to generate a substantial amount of clean energy, further contributing to Pakistan’s energy security.