The Minister for Water Resources, Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, has announced that the government has allocated 105 billion rupees for the construction of dams in the federal budget for 2022-23.
He stated that the government is expediting the construction work on the Dasu, Diamer-Bhasha, and Mohmand dams with the intention of completing them as soon as possible in order to conserve water.
He took the complete review of work on Dasu Dam project site. Dasu Dam was supposed to be completed in 2023, unfortunately it was too late. Dasu Dam is a project of 4320 MW. After the construction of Bhasha Dam, power generation from Dasu Dam can be increased up to 5400 MW
Khursheed Shah added that the construction of new dams will not only help address the water and energy crisis but will also generate jobs and tourism and business opportunities.
The minister said that he would visit every under-construction dam four times a year to ensure the quality of work as well as to resolve the grievances of the local community.
He went on to say that the rivers need dredging and lining to enhance the water storage capacity and that he would raise this issue in the cabinet meetings.
The minister said that the government should ensure the provision of irrigation water to the agriculture sector for protecting our food basket.
He said that the government was working to not only strengthen the national economy but also provide relief to farmers and government servants.
In the budget, the government had taken revolutionary steps for the agriculture sector, which had been the backbone of the economy, he said.
He added that provincial governments should launch awareness programs to impart knowledge to farmers about certified seeds for boosting their productivity.
