WAPDA HOLDS CONSULTATIVE SEMINAR WITH FORMER CHAIRMEN ‘WAPDA implementing 8 projects to generate 10000 MW, store 10.6 MAF water’ 3 projects of 2485 MW to be completed from end 2017 to mid 2018: WAPDA Chairman

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Lahore – April 10, 2017: While restrategising its priorities for optimal utilization of water and hydropower resources in the country, the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is implementing as many as eight mega projects on fast track basis with cumulative power generation capacity of more than 10,000 mega watt (MW) and gross water storage capacity of 10.6 million acre feet (MAF). Once completed, these projects will go a long way in fulfilling the increasing requirements of water and electricity in the country.

WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain (R) expressed these views in a consultative seminar here at WAPDA House today. The purpose of holding this consultative seminar was to have a valuable input of former Chairmen to give a much-needed further flip to on-going efforts of WAPDA for timely completion of the projects and effective water management and hydroelectric generation. The seminar, the first-ever of its nature in the history of WAPDA, was attended by WAPDA former Chairmen Lt Gen Zahid Ali Akbar (R), Shams-ul-Mulk, Lt Gen Zulfiqar Ali Khan (R), Tariq Hamid, Shakil Durrani, Syed Raghib Abbas Shah and Zafar Mahmood. WAPDA former members namely Asif Kazi, Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Muhammad Qasim Khan and Muhammad Shoaib Iqbal also attended the seminar. WAPDA’s incumbent Members and General Managers were also present.

Sharing his vision for development of water and hydropower resources, WAPDA Chairman Lt. Gen Muzammil Hussain (R) said that a three-pronged strategy has been devised in this regard, which includes completion of under-construction projects in the shortest possible time, initiation of construction work on ready-for-construction projects as early as possible and making WAPDA yet again a vibrant organization. The strategy has been vigorously pursued for the last seven months. Resultantly, three hydropower projects – Neelum Jhelum, Tarbela 4th Extension and Golen Gol with electricity generation capacity of 2485 MW in total – will be completed from end 2017 to mid 2018. In addition, Phase I of Kachhi Canal will also be completed in parts in August– December 2017 to irrigate 72,000 acres of land. Construction work has been started on Kurram Tangi Dam Multi-purpose Project last month. The contractor of Keyal Khwar Hydropower Project has also been mobilized at the site to start construction work on the project. Following the award of main civil works for Dasu Hydropower Project, the construction work on the project will commence next month. WAPDA is making an all out effort to award contracts for Mohmand Dam Multi-purpose Project and Diamer Basha Dam Multi-purpose Project by the end of this year, he added.

Later, the former Chairmen appreciating the initiative of the incumbent WAPDA Chairman, suggested ways and means for implementation of the projects on fast track basis in both water and hydropower sectors. During the question-answer session, they also shared their experiences with the General Managers to resolve the issues of similar nature, they faced while execution of the projects during their tenures.