LAHORE: Pakistan is facing a do-or-die-like situation as far as water and power shortage is concerned, therefore a new strategy to exploit hydel resources in shortest possible time is a must. Though end of load shedding for the industrial sectors for a few days was a good omen, energy demand would increased in the near future.
While talking to a group of leading businessmen at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI President Ijaz A Mumtaz said that Pakistan is one of those countries where water scarcity is intensifying with each passing day.
He lamented that annually 35 million acre feet of water is being wasted despite the fact that this water could be used for irrigation and generation of cheap hydel power.
The LCCI president said that keeping in view the ongoing scenario, large dams are necessary, not only for storage of surface water, which is a major component for agriculture, but also for generation of hydroelectricity, which is the cheapest and cleanest form of energy.
Ijaz A Mumtaz said that Kalabagh Dam with a storage capacity of 7.9 million acre feet, would produce 3,600 megawatts of electricity. He said that the annual energy to be generated at Kalabagh would be equivalent to 20 million barrels of oil.
He said that Kalabagh Dam has direct flood control benefits, as downstream inhabitants like those in Sindh would benefit from a built-in flood control mechanism, since floods play havoc, as witnessed in the recent past.
He said that policymakers are talking about Basha Dam but a feasibility report for Basha has pointed out high cost of construction, which is estimated at $12.6 billion due to seclusion of site.
Besides, the present infrastructure would not support the movement of heavy machinery, raw material and power stations. Establishment of a power station and transmission lines would also make an addition to the cost of Bhasha Dam. Furthermore, he said, according to a report, we have to rebuilt about 140km Karakorum Highway, which would be merged. Definitely $5 billion to $6 billion would be required for this purpose. While the Kalabagh Dam could be constructed within $10 billion and it will bring all its cost back within five years.
Ijaz A Mumtaz said that Kalabagh Dam is the most suitable project for the national economy as it would not only produce cheap and sufficient electricity but would also avert human tragedies like Tharparkar. He said that Kalabagh Dam is a must to control poverty and hunger and those who were opposing the KBD were enemies of this country as they were playing with the country‘s future.
