SWABI – The incumbent government has decided to build 10 dams to avert water storage capacity, and for creating resources to protect future generations, Prime Minister Imran Khan said at the inauguration of the fifth extension project of Tarbela Dam.
The premier, who visited Swabi for the groundbreaking of the fifth extension project of the Tarbela Dam, said “We have decided to construct 10 dams within 10 years including Dassu and Bhasha dams to avoid water shortage in the future and would be unable to cope with the needs of people and farmers.
LIVE #APPNews : Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI addressing ground-breaking ceremony of Tarbela Dam's fifth extension project #Tarbela @PakPMO https://t.co/EDyMyKiCgE
— APP (@appcsocialmedia) August 12, 2021
Emphasizing the importance of the construction of dams, Khan said the project’s objective was to achieve clean energy and contribute to the fight against global warming.
“By the year 2030, most of the electricity produced will be clean electricity”, said PM by adding that “Our focus should be on creating power from water, solar or wind resources, and avoiding to create these through burning fossil fuels”.
Prime Minister while lamenting at former regimes said none of the previous governments thought about taking such initiatives and they signed capacity payment contracts for expensive electricity and it brought losses for the country.”
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI breaks ground on Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project.
Besides extending lifespan of Tarbela by addressing issues of sedimentation, the project will enhance production capacity of the dam from 4888 MW to 6418MW.#DecadeOfDams pic.twitter.com/3vIQQfKBtC
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 12, 2021
Citing China as an example, Khan said the country could learn from the neighboring country, as it plans for 20 to 30 years ahead which he termed as ‘the secret of their success.’
The project is likely to perpetuate the availability and supply of water for irrigation purposes besides generating 1,530-megawatt green energy. The project can provide the national grid with power worth Rs1.34 billion rupee every year.
Earlier, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib shared a tweet that stated that the project of 807 million dollars will be completed by 2024. “The project will enhance Tarbela Dam’s electricity generation capacity by 1530 megawatts from 4888 megawatts to 6418 megawatts, the Minister wrote.
وزیراعظم عمران خان، ملک میں آبی ذخائر کے منصوبوں کی تکمیل میں گہری دلچسپی لے رہے ہیں۔دیامر بھاشا ڈیم،دہاسو ہائیڈور پاور،مہمند ڈیم سندھ بیراج ،ہرپور پاور پراجیکٹ،کچی کینال،سندھ بیراج، کے فور واٹر سپلائی پراجیکٹ،کرم تنگی ڈیم اور نئی گنج ڈیم پراجیکٹ کام تیزی سے جاری ہے۔
— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) August 12, 2021
PM Imran Khan is evincing great interest in building water reservoirs in the country, he said while commending the premier’s vision. Habib added that work on several projects including Diamer Basha dam, Dasu Hydropower, Mohmand Dam, Kurram Tangi Dam, Nai Gaj dam, Sindh Barrage, Kachhi Canal, K-4 water supply is in full swing.
PM Imran announces 10 dams, 15 conservation parks to overcome water shortage, combat climate change