Build big dams

This letter refers to the article ‘Conserving water smartly’ (March 9, 2025) Dr Muhammad Zeshan. The writer elaborates on the various ways water can be managed and conserved. Undoubtedly, his suggestions are valuable and must be acted upon to secure the country's future. However, he mentions that while he supports the construction of small dams, he is not in favor of large dams. I wish to state that the proposed Soan Dam/Indus Link Canal, to be built on the Potohar Plateau, will also contribute to water conservation. Currently, an average of 35 million acre-feet of freshwater flows unused into the Arabian Sea during the flood season.

Even after deducting 10 million acre-feet to prevent seawater intrusion into the Indus River Delta, 25 million acre-feet remain available. To avoid this wastage, excess water can be diverted via a canal from upstream of the Tarbela Dam to the Soan Dam. We also need to increase the water storage capacity of our dams from 30 days to 120 days. This can only be achieved through the construction of major dams.

Syed Hussein El-Edroos

Islamabad