Mohmand Dam to be completed in 2017

Official says the facility will generate 800 megawatts of electricity

PESHAWAR: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Zafar Mahmood on Fridaysaid that the Mohmand Dam project would be competed in January 2017. 

He made the announcement as he visited the project site along with general manager (Hydro) Planning, general manager (Projects) North and representatives of the consultants. 

“Mohmand Dam, being a multi-purpose project, is of immense importance for socio-economic uplift of the country. It will not only generate low-cost hydel electricity but will also provide water for agriculture besides mitigating flood in Charsadda, Peshawar and Nowshera,” he said. 

The official directed the project authorities to complete the engineering design of the project as early as possible so that construction work could be started. 

Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project has a gross water storage capacity of 1.3 million acre feet (MAF) that could irrigate about 17 thousand acres of land. 

With generation capacity of 800 megawatt, the project will contribute more than three billion units of electricity to the national grid every year.

Later, Wapda chairman called on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and briefed him about the Wapda projects in Fata, including Mohmand, Kurram Tangi and Bara dams. 

Zafar Mahmood apprised the governor of the detailed engineering design of the dam being prepared with the financial assistance of the French Development Agency (AFD).

The AFD has indicated providing part of funds during construction phase of the project, he added. 

The Wapda chairman informed the governor that contract for construction of Stage-I of Kurram Tangi Dam in North Waziristan had been awarded. He said the USAID was providing US$ 81 million for the purpose. 

“Stage-I will be completed in 3 years and will irrigate more than 16,000 acres of land in North Waziristan in addition to generating about 18 megawatt electricity,” he said. 

The senior official informed the governor that design of Bara Dam in Khyber Agency had also been completed while PC-I of the project was being submitted for approval.   Bara Dam will irrigate 42,000 acre land and generate six megawatt electricity.