Utilisation of water resources: KP govt decides to execute Tank Zam Dam project

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to construct the Tank Zam Dam to make effective use of the available water resources and ensure food security in the province.

The decision was made at a meeting held with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in the chair, said an official handout.

“As an important step towards utilizing available water resources in an effective and useful manner, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to construct the Tank Zam Dam project to preserve the natural water resources and implement the provincial government’s vision to ensure food security of the province,” the statement added.

Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Syed Imtiaz Hussain Shah and Secretary Irrigation Tahir Orakzai and high-ups of the relevant federal and provincial departments attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed the different projects of irrigation sector with special focus on the construction of CRBC and Tank Zam Dam projects.

The officials concerned briefed the participants about the available options to execute the projects.

Highlighting the salient features of the proposed Tank Zam Dam project, the meeting was told that the reservoir once completed would irrigate about 1,00000 acres of barren land in the southern districts in addition to generating 25.5 megawatt hydropower.

The chief minister directed the officials concerned to complete homework for execution of the Tank Zam Dam project, adding that construction of this dam was the need of the hour.

He said the project would help bring the barren land of southern districts under cultivation and produce cheap electricity and reduce the possible flood losses.

Construction of small dams was needed to ensure food security, he said and added the government would take steps under well-planned and integrated strategy for this purpose, adding the funds required for such projects would be provided on a priority basis.