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Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
K-IV project: A number of key targets achieved: Wapda chief
KARACHI: Wapda Chairman Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) has announced that Wapda has succeeded in achieving a number of key targets on Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV project) and concerted efforts are being made to complete Phase-I of the project in June 2026. During his visit to the Project here on Thursday, he further said that prompt availability of the required funds is the key for completion of the Project as per the schedule. The Chairman had a detailed visit of various work fronts to review construction progress. These work fronts included intake and pumping stations at Kinjhar Lake and water conveyance system comprising pressurized pipelines being laid from Kinjhar Lake to Karachi. The project team along with the Consultants and the Contractors briefed the Chairman about progress on all eight contracts including intake, pumping stations, pipelines, water reservoirs and filtration facilities. Two critical activities i.e. inserting two water carrier pipelines in sleeve pipes at main railways crossing and hydrostatic testing on the first 15 Km of the pipeline have recently been completed, while the second hydrostatic testing for another 25 Km single pipeline will be carried out in June. Timelines for the remaining works and plans to achieve the targets as well as financial progress and requirement of funds were also discussed during the briefing. Cumulative physical progress on the Project is 63 percent. Rs. 75.21 billion have so far been spent on the Project, while PC-I of the Project's Phase-I amounts to Rs. 126.4 billion. Underlining the importance of K-IV Project for Karachi, the Chairman directed the Project Team to excel construction activities to meet the timelines. He also directed them to maintain close liaison with other stakeholders for timely arrangement of power supply by the Government of Sindh and augmentation of the water distribution system by Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). K-IV Project envisages providing 650 million gallon per day (MGD) water to Karachi from Kinjhar Lake. The Project is planned to be completed in two phases. At present, Wapda is constructing Phase-I to supply 260 MGD water to Karachi. Phase-II, when implemented, will also augment another 390 MGD water to the system for Karachi. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Minister inaugurates Mohmand Dam Phase II
WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (r) Sajjad Ghani briefs Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the impact of the recent flood in Swat River on the diversion tunnels of Mohmand Dam Project. PHOTO: PML-N/@pmln_org Federal Minister for Water Resources, Muhammad Moin Wattoo, has issued a stern warning against any attempts to disrupt Pakistan's water supply, calling such actions "an act of war." He emphasized that the government will not tolerate any infringement on the country's water rights. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Mohmand Dam Phase-II, the minister underscored the critical role of water in Pakistan's survival and progress. "No one has the right to take our water. Blocking it is equivalent to waging war against us," Wattoo stated firmly. He referenced the Indus Waters Treaty, affirming that both Pakistan and India are legally bound to honor its terms. "This is a binding agreement with full legal validity. Its suspension or violation will not be tolerated under any circumstances," he warned. Progress on Mohmand Dam Wattoo noted that construction of the Mohmand Dam is advancing rapidly and is projected to be completed by 2027 or 2028. However, he assured the public that the government is striving to complete it ahead of schedule. He also praised the contributions of Chinese engineers working on the project. "It is truly commendable that Chinese engineers are working day and night to ensure timely completion of this crucial infrastructure," he said. Wattoo reiterated the government's commitment to allocating all available resources to ensure swift completion of the dam. Economic and Environmental Impact Once operational, the Mohmand Dam will generate 800 megawatts of clean, affordable hydropower and will bring thousands of acres of land under irrigation. It is expected to significantly improve the local economy by creating jobs and boosting agricultural productivity. WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (retd.) Sajjad Ghani was also present at the ceremony. Located on the Swat River in the Mohmand District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the Dam is poised to be the fifth-largest Concrete Face Rock-Filled Dam (CFRD) in the world, standing at 213 meters high. It will have a storage capacity of 1.29 million acre-feet, bringing 18,233 acres of new land in Mohmand and Charsadda districts under cultivation, while also supporting irrigation for another 160,000 acres of existing farmland.
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Construction of Mohmand Dam to be completed by 2027-28
LAHORE: WAPDA achieved yet another landmark on Mohmand Dam Project, as construction work has commenced on the Main Dam. Prior to achieving this landmark, several pre-requisites such as river diversion, up and downstream starter (coffer) dams, dam plinth and excavation of left and right abutments and dam foundations were completed. Mohmand Dam is scheduled for completion in 2027-28. Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo visited Mohmand Dam Project to mark the occasion. Chairman WAPDA Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (retd) also accompanied him. The GM/PD Mohmand Dam along with his team and Project Managers of the Consultants and the Contractors were also present on the occasion. The Federal Minister had a detailed visit of the key sites and observed construction activities going on there. These sites included Diversion System, Power Intake Tunnel, Main Dam, Spillway and Power House. During on-the-sites briefings, the Federal Minister was apprised by the Project Team that construction work is continuing on 14 different sites. The Federal Minister was also briefed about the site-wise progress on the Project. The Federal Minister expressed satisfaction over the progress on the Project. He said that the Federal Government is fully cognizant of the increasing needs of water and affordable electricity in the country, that is why, WAPDA and Ministry of Water Resources have been making all out efforts for completion of the under construction mega projects. Mohmand Dam, being amongst these projects, will help fulfilling requirements of water and low-cost electricity in Pakistan. He hoped that WAPDA would complete Mohmand Dam and other projects as per their timelines. The Ministry of Water Resources will provide full support for the purpose, the Minister added. Mohmand Dam Project being constructed across River Swat, in Tribal District Mohmand of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The 213-meter Mohmand Dam is the 5th highest concrete faced-rock fill dam (CFRD) in the world. It has a gross water storage capacity of 1.29 MAF sufficient to irrigate 18,233 acres of new land in Mohmand and Charsadda, besides supplementing irrigation supplies to 160,000 acres of existing land. With installed power capacity of 800 MW, the Project will provide 2.86 billion units of green, clean and affordable hydel electricity to the National Grid annually. It will not only help save Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera from flooding but also provide 300 million gallons water per day to Peshawar for drinking purpose. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'India stonewalling water talks'
A National Assembly panel was told on Wednesday that while the Pakistan Commission on Indus Waters (PCIW) is tasked with engaging New Delhi on transboundary water issues, the dialogue table has remained empty for the past two years due to India's reluctance to come to the negotiating table. The NA Standing Committee on Water Resources, chaired by Ahmad Ateeq Anwar, convened for an in-depth briefing on the country's key hydropower projects and the growing strain caused by India's repeated disregard for treaty obligations. Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Muneer Wattoo, Water Resources Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani, former WAPDA chairman Shakil Durrani and Pakistan's Indus Water Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah were in attendance. The agenda included updates on the under-construction Dasu and Mohmand Dam projects, along with the status of the NeelumJhelum Hydropower Project. Addressing the panel, the water resources secretary noted that while the PCIW holds the brief for initiating talks with India over shared water resources, there has been radio silence from across the border. "The Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended," the secretary affirmed, adding that "we will take India's violations to international arbitration and other global forums". He asserted that under the treaty, Pakistan holds full rights over the three western rivers, while India may only use a limited quantity for domestic and agricultural purposes and generate hydropower without altering the river flow. "India cannot divert the flow of rivers," he added. Committee chairman Ahmad Atiq Anwar directed that the committee be briefed on six canal projects, responding to a request by Dawar Kundi. Minister Wattoo added, "Whenever the committee wishes, we will arrange a visit to the Dasu Dam site and facilitate meetings with affected communities." Wattoo called for discussions on India's water aggression and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, noting that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) had already resolved some of the issues. In his briefing, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani disclosed that Pakistan receives 140 million acre-feet (MAF) of water annually, However, it can only store 13 MAF due to siltation. "The country has the capacity to store up to 20 MAF, but due to silt, current usable storage is limited to 13 MAF," he noted. He further explained that silt cannot simply be released, as it would damage the barrages. "Damage to the barrages could severely impact the agriculture sector," he warned.
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Wapda chairman reviews work on Dasu hydropower project
PESHAWAR: Chairman Wapda Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) visited Dasu Hydropower Project on Thursday, being constructed on River Indus in Upper Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During his day-long visit, the chairman reviewed construction progress on key sites, which included River Diversion System, Main Dam, Power House and relocated Karakoram Highway (KKH-1). The project team, comprising GM/PD Dasu Hydropower Project, the consultants and the contractors, briefed the chairman about site-wise targets and achievements. It was briefed that construction activities on 20 work fronts are progressing at a good pace. Several critical targets have recently been completed, while a number of milestones are about to be achieved. As per the details, excavation of right and left abutment of the Main Dam has been completed. Likewise, extended right bypass tunnel and right-side open channel are also ready for operation to pass excess water during the high flow season. After completion of the upstream and downstream starter (coffer) dams, excavation of the Main Dam's foundation is in progress and will be completed in August 2025. Yet another critical activity of placing Roller Compact Concrete (RCC) in the Main Dam is likely to be started by December this year. Excavation of the Power House will be completed in January 2026, while 25 Km-long KKH-1 with seven tunnels and three bridges will also be completed in February 2026. Electricity generation from the Project is scheduled in 2027. Speaking on the occasion, the chairman urged upon the consultants and the contractors to expedite their efforts for completion of the project as per the timelines. In second leg of the visit, the chairman participated in a Jirga with local elders. Detailed deliberations were made on payment issues under Enhanced Self-Managed Relocation (ESMR) Package and implementation of Local Area Development Schemes (LADS). The chairman said that the Wapda stands committed for socio-economic development of the people hailing from the Project area. He added the Wapda is spending hefty amount on resettlement of the locals, environmental management and social development in the Project area. He directed the project management to keep close liaison with the locals to address grievances. It is important to note that the 4320 MW-Dasu Hydropower Project is planned to be completed in two stages. At present, the Wapda is constructing stage-I of 2160 MW and annual energy generation of 12 billion units of clean, green and affordable electricity. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
