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Lahore, January 11, 2013 (PPI-OT): The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Raghib Shah has said that water sector projects are vital for sustained economic development, poverty reduction and social uplift in the country, particularly the remote areas of Gilgit-Baltistan.
He expressed these views in a meeting today with Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah here at WAPDA House.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman said that WAPDA is implementing a number of mega and medium-sized projects in Gilgit-Baltistan including multipurpose Satpara (generation capacity 17 MW, water storage capacity 0.093 million acre feet) and Diamer-Basha (generation capacity 4500 MW, water storage capacity 8.1 million acre feet), 7100 MW-Bunji, 34 MW-Harpo, 80 MW-Phandar and 40 MW-Basho hydropower projects etc.
Apprising the Chief Minister of the progress on the projects, he said that Satpara Dam Project has substantially been completed. The construction work on 13 contracts for WAPDA offices, colonies, contractors’ camps, model village for affectees, roads and infrastructure in the project area of Diamer-Basha Dam – a priority project – is progressing at a good pace.
The process to acquire land is continuing, while Expressions of Interest (EoI) to appoint consultants have also been called. Various financial options are being analysed for funding of the project, he added. The Chairman said that detailed engineering design and tender documents of Bunji Hydropower Project will be completed by end March this year. He further said that the two European Development Agencies namely AFD of France and KFW of Germany have shown interest to provide funds for Harpo Hydropower Project.
Dilating upon their benefits, the Chairman said that these multi-purpose projects will ensure availability of water for irrigated agriculture, help mitigate devastating floods, and generate low-cost hydel electricity. In addition, a number of employment opportunities will also be available to the locals in Gilgit-Baltistan during c onstruction as well as operation and maintenance phases of these projects, he further said. The Chairman also discussed with the Chief Minister in details the issues relating to WAPDA projects being implemented in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister lauded the efforts made by WAPDA in implementing the projects in Gilgit-Baltistan. He assured the Chairman of every possible support to help execute these projects.
For more information, contact:
Muhammad Abid Rana
Director Public Relations
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)
G-32, WAPDA House, Lahore
Tel: +9242 9920 2633 and +9242 9920 2211 -2033 -2029
Cell: +92333 445 8293
Email: mabidrana@gmail.com