ISLAMABAD – Minister for Finance Dr Miftah Ismail Friday said Diamer-Bhashadam, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 474 billion, would helpincrease national water storage capacity from 38 days to 45.

Presenting federal budget for the year 2018-19 in the National Assembly, hecongratulated the nation that the government had recently approvedconstruction of the dam, having 6.4 million acres feet live storagecapacity and installed capacity of 4,500 mega watts electricity.

In the budget, the minister said, the government had proposed an allocationof Rs 23.7 billion for the dam, while overall investment in the watersector was being increased from Rs 36.7 billion to Rs 79 billion.