PESHAWAR, Nov 03 (APP):To conserve water resources, the Khyber PakhtunkhwaGovernment has planned to construct two dams and remodeling of Bara Riverto promote agriculture and generate employment opportunities for tribesmen.The water reservoirs including Jabba and Bara dams would be constructed inKhyber tribal district on which around Rs 930 million would be spent duringcurrent fiscal year, officials in KP Government told APP on Sunday.The Government has proposed allocation of Rs 700 million for Jabba dam andRs 230 million for Bara dam for fiscal year 2019-20 for effectiveconservation of water resources in the rugged tribal district.On completion these projects would help conserve water for irrigation anddrinking purposes besides bringing the vast unproductive lands in Khyberunder agriculture net.Efforts would be made to use the water of Bara dam for drinking purposesfor people of Peshawar especially Hayatabad, the official informed.In addition to these schemes, five gigantic projects worth Rs3950 millionhave been developed by the Government for strengthening of water managementand irrigation infrastructure to increase agriculture productivity.The KP Government has developed a 10-year Accelerated Integrated Program(AIP), which is being implemented through Planning and AgricultureDepartment aimed at to expedite pace of economic development in the oncehitherto neglected erstwhile Fata.Extension and remodeling of Bara River canal system in Khyber districtcovering Peshawar would be made on which Rs200 million would be spentduring current fiscal year.A comprehensive plan for rehabilitation of Dandy small dam in NorthWaziristan with an allocation of Rs 150 million for current fiscal yearwere prepared to store the rainy and flood water. It will help alleviatepoverty and generate employment opportunities for thousands of tribalpeople through strengthening of agriculture and livestock services.Work on construction of small check dams and water storage reservoirs inmerged areas with a allocation of Rs 380 million and building of small damsat feasibility sites costing Rs380 million would commence in current fiscalyear.Similarly, Rs680 million were proposed for Gomal Zam dam in SouthWaziristan and Rs100 million for Kurram Tangi Dam Stage-II in NorthWaziristan for 2019-20.A comprehensive mechanism has been developed for construction andimprovement of irrigation channels and water pounds with an estimated costof Rs 380 million, construction of Kundiwan Weir in South Waziristancosting Rs 320 million and new solar tube wells besides solarization ofexisting tubes wells on which Rs 100 million would be spent during currentfinancial year would bring green revolution in erstwhile Fata.Priorities are being given on institutional strengthening, capacitybuilding of staff and construction of official infrastructure of irrigationdepartment on which around Rs100 million would be spent by June 2020.
Feasibility studies and designs of 26 small dams having 166,282 cultivablecommand area and 555,103 acres feet storage capacity, has been eithercompleted or practical work in progress in different districts of KP.The detailed designs of seven small dams including Chamak Mira Abbottabad,Surkhawai Mardan, Naki and Bahadar Khel Nowshera, Makh Banda& ChasmiAkorkhel in Karak and Darabanzam in DI Khan were also completed.Likewise, feasibility studies of nine others small dams were completedincluding Kora Nullah, Choudwan Zam and Sheikh Haider Zaman in DI Khan,Kuhai and Panjar in Buner, Tora Wari Hangu, Shoukas, Zari Karak and Tankzamin Tank district and feasibility studies of Legani Buner, Sarozai Hangu andZawona Darvazai dams besides Pezu in Lakki Marwat are in progress.Feasibility studies of four small dams including Shah Tooth, Chitta Batta,Shungali Banda and Shina in Manshera are in approval stage on which workwould soon begins.The official said 25 small dams were completed in KP, adding 18 werecompleted including nine each under ADP and PSDP after 2003.The projects completed under ADP includes Ghandyaley, Chanday Fatehay Khan&Auxillaryh Kandar in Kohat, Naryab Hangu, Sharki & Changhoz in Karak,Bargantau Bannu and Jalozai dams in Nowshera districts.Small dams completed under PSDP includes Laughar, Karak, Ghole Banda,Mardankhel in Karak, Khari Bara Haripur, Jabba Khattak Nowshera, PalaiCHarsadda, Darmalak Kohat and Khundal in Swabi district.Work on 10 others small dams projects are in progress under ADP includingSatti Khalli Bannu, Latambar Karak, Marobi& Jaroba Nowshera and ChapraHaripur.The official said over 90pc work on five others projects including ShahKaleem & Gul Dheri Nowshera, Kiyala Abbottabad, Gadwalian Haripur andJhangara dam in Abbottabad were completed.Under PSDP, around 90pc work on ZamirGul dam and 60pc on Bada dam in Swabiwere completed besides 10pc on Ichar Nullah and Manchura dams in Mansheradistrict.Prior of 2003, he said seven smalls dams were completed having 207,900cultivable command area with storage capacity of 211,920 acres feetincluding Baran Bannu, Tanda, Kandar and Darwazai in Kohat, Khal, Chatriand Khanpur dams in Karak with an estimated cost of Rs3123.482 million.After construction of these small dams, food requirements of around 600,000families would be fulfilled besides raising the socio economic conditionsof four million poor people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
