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Construction of small dams to bring green revolution in Balochistan: Senate Body
ISLAMABAD Nov 15 : The Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development and Population Welfare, which met here under the Chairmanship of Senator Saeed Ahmed Hashmi has underlined the need for construction of small dams to irrigate vast barren land and to avoid the water loses.
This observation was made by the Committee while having briefing from various organizations on the mega projects executed by the Federal Government.
Chairman, WAPDA briefed the Committee about Mangla Dam Raising (MDR) Project, Gomal Zam dam, Greater Thal Canal, Bhasha dam, Mirani dam and various other on going projects. He informed the Committee that the work on MDR project was in full swing at the moment and that it is likely to be completed by September 2007 at a cost of Rs. 62553 million.
In reply to a question the Committee was informed that Rs. 1143.211 million have so far been disbursed among the affectees. Regarding delay in the construction of Gomal Zam dam, he said that reluctance of the Chinese firm was one of the main cause. He said that the issue is being negotiated at the appropriate level and efforts were underway to come to an amicable solution and resumption of the work at the site.
About the Mirani dam project in Balochistan, he said that its construction would save wastage of rain water and would help irrigate a big piece of land in Balochistan, besides providing drinking water. The Members were of the view that Balochistan has fertile land & construction of small dams would bring a green revolution in the province. The Members directed WAPDA to speed up the projects.
Chairman NHA, informed the Committee that repair work on the Mekran Coastal Highway has been completed with certain modifications to avoid any mishap in future. He stated that restoration costs were borne by the contractors as per contract. The Chairman briefed the Members of the Committee about various development the projects such as Motorways, Lyari Expressway, Karachi Northern by pass, Lowari rail tunnel project and earthquake damages to road.
The Members of the Committee expressed satisfaction over the performance of NHA. The Committee was also given a detailed briefing on the Quetta water supply and environmental improvement project and on the K-III 100 MGD water supply project, Karachi. The Committee directed the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure environmental safety and supply of clean water to the masses.
The meeting was attended besides the Chairman of the Committee Senator Saeed Ahmed Hashmi by Senators Mrs. Kalsoom Perveen, Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, Fauzia Fakhar-uz-Zaman Khan, Lt. General (R) Javed Ashraf, Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi, Dr. Mrs. Kauser Firdaus, Dr. Abdullah Riar and Rehmatullah Kaker (Advocate).M. Akram Sheikh, Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission, Secretary, P&D and officers of the concerned departments were also present.