Kalabagh Dam a lifeline for country’s future

[Sulman Badshah]

Kalabagh Dam a lifeline for country’s future
June 22, 2015
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Our Staff Reporter


Terming the Kalabagh Dam a lifeline for the country’s future, the speakers at a seminar said that the vision of Quaid-e-Azam was to build Kalabagh Dam (Mianwali Hydro Project) and Nara Canal to meet energy requirements through cheep electricity and provide water to the desert of Thar.
“The country’s parliament, in its first budget session in presence of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had approved the 500MW Mianwali Hydropower Project (Kalabagh Dam) in 1948 with a view to generate power through hydel production.
After the creation of Pakistan, the government under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam, focused the growth of economy based on agro industry. At that time when the country’s power generation capacity was only 60MW the first budget session approved the construction of KBD,” observed Chairman Sindh Tas Water Council Pakistan Muhammad Suleman Khan at a seminar organized by the Institution of Engineers Pakistan.
Quoting a Wapda report, he stated that the annual electricity generated at Kalabagh Dam would be equivalent to 20 million barrels of oil otherwise needed to produce costly thermal power. This annual import of fuel would require augmentation of transportation infrastructure. It is the additional burden of billion of U.S dollars per annum to the economy.
“IRSA is responsible authority of four of the provinces and federal government. Its Chairman Engr. Raqib Khan (who belongs to Khyber Pk) has written an official letter to the Secretary, Ministry of Water & Power, Government of Pakistan for the water crises in the country. He wrote “IRSA strongly recommended the construction of new water storages of at least 22 MAF capacity on all the feasible sites on war footing basis as agriculture is the back bone of the country’s economy (it is point to note that the capacity of Kalabagh Dam is only 6.1Maf). The new storages will help to improve the diminishing per capita water availability, increase in GDP, control of floods etc., besides availability of cheap environment friendly Hydel Power to overcome the Power crises being faced by the country which is giving a serious setback to the economy.
Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council, Engr Abdul Qadir Shah, who is the brother of Syed Khurshid Shah, senior opposition leader of Pakistan People’s Party and the opposition leader in National Assembly, said at the event of World Water Day that “We have only the storage of 50 days whereas Egypt has 700 days storage in Aswan Dam, China is a big country of huge population has the storage of 500 days whether India has the storage of 120-220 days. We are facing horrible shortage of water. We have to build dams at any cost otherwise after 10-15 years, Pakistan will be the land of deserts.
“Critics argue that if the dam is built, it would turn Sindh into a desert, but the experts are of the opinion that the province would get additional 4.75 million acre feet of water. Punjab would receive additional 2.04 MAF, Balochistan 1.56 MAF and K-P 2.01 MAF.”
The IEP Lahore chapter president Capt (r) Khalid Sajjad, addressing the seminar, said that a general consensus could not be reached as the dam issue has been much politicised. The civil society would have to play a crucial role in creating a larger consensus as new large water reservoirs would benefit every Pakistani, he said.
Engineer Khalid Sajjad said that the Institution of Engineers Pakistan is running a campaign to pave way for the construction of Kalabagh Dam, which is a lifeline for the country’s future. The IEP is holding seminars and discussions with experts to clear any misunderstandings impeding its materialization, he added.
He said that poverty, hunger and darkness would be our fate if we don’t build dams to store water, which is depleting fast. Nation will not forgive people who are opposing Kalabagh Dam for their own interests, he said. Khalid Sajjad stated that only because of government’s silence over KBD, the country is suffering a loss of Rs132 billion annually. This amount could be saved by initiating construction of the dam. He said that another significant aspect connected with the construction is the surety of sufficient amount of electricity at a much cheaper price. “The capacity of the dam is equal to the capacity of 750 medium dams. The country’s dependence on power generated through thermal sources is costing us a lot and we face formidable challenges in both national and international markets.

 

[WAJsal]

Such a shame to see this project being politicized, that too on incorrect basis.

“Critics argue that if the dam is built, it would turn Sindh into a desert, but the experts are of the opinion that the province would get additional 4.75 million acre feet of water. Punjab would receive additional 2.04 MAF, Balochistan 1.56 MAF and K-P 2.01 MAF.”

Such a shame. Why does all this crap only happen in Pakistan.

 

[Hyde]

Kalabagh is no longer the future of Pakistan but is definitely an important project for future. But our priorities should only be diverted to Dasu dam, diamer Bhasha dam, bunji hydropower project and smaller run of the river projects.

Kalabagh is fine after all these dams have been built

 

[Sulman Badshah]

Such a shame. Why does all this crap only happen in Pakistan.

it is called politics ...i firmly believe that some part of ANP and PPP politics runs on this dam

the whole Thal region and desert regions of Punjab, sindh and balochistan can be cultivated

 

[Oracle]

It is the best time . Raheel shareef can do this ( i could say Nawaz shareef but i didnt)

 

[Sulman Badshah]

Kalabagh is no longer the future of Pakistan but is definitely an important project for future. But our priorities should only be diverted to Dasu dam, diamer Bhasha dam, bunji hydropower project and smaller run of the river projects.

Kalabagh is fine after all these dams have been built

on the basis of hydroelectric generation above mention dams are best ...

but to increase cultivation of land Kala bagh is necessary .. it will boost 15-25 % of total GDP

 

[adeelnK]

As long as PPP,ANP are still active i don't see this project coming to life. Its really sad what these politicians have turned this country into.

 

[Hyde]

Such a shame to see this project being politicized, that too on incorrect basis.

Such a shame. Why does all this crap only happen in Pakistan.

You are right my friend,

But we cannot afford to waste more time so we must focus on building non controversial projects as soon as possible. I believe the Kalabagh could have been completed long ago if we had funds in hand and the leaders were serious to resolve the differences. We have done little progress in starting mega hydropower or dam projects in Pakistan since last 20 years due to financial constraints

on the basis of hydroelectric generation above mention dams are best ...

but to increase cultivation of land Kala bagh is necessary .. it will boost 15-25 % of total GDP

No actually Diamer Bhasha is bigger in both cultivation of land/water reserves and power generation. But it's more costly at the same time

 

[Arsalan]

Such a shame to see this project being politicized, that too on incorrect basis.

Such a shame. Why does all this crap only happen in Pakistan.

This is all because of the shitty politicians that WE always bring into power. They have been looking at this, knowing full that water shortage will turn into a crisis. Today a common ma like me with who have a job to attend to and many other things going on in life knows that in 12 to 15 years the water crisis will be so enormous that we will forget the current power crisis, still, those who are paid to know these things, who's job ask them to learn and gather information about these catastrophes, who are the ones responsible to avert such crisis do not know about this? they all know but the thing is they also know that no dam can be completed within one government tenure, so why should they invest in something that wont be complete in there term and that they wont be able to sell to buy votes? why no invest in Benazir Income support fund and Khadam sb apna rozgar scheme as they will be a mean to bribe the general population and will yield in immediate results in shape of vote bank? who cares about Pakistan? screw Pakistan!!! lets build a metro as we will get done with it in an year or so and can then keep shouting about it that we have made Pakistan a developed nation Irony, this is the fate of this country as long as we have leaders like this.

Remember my words, we will have people dyeing of thirst, lands turned desert that you will forget the hundreds and thousands that died in Thar this year while we were either busy in D-Chowk or distributing lap tops!! Shame on ALL OF US! AND there wont be any fcking Kala Bagh dam ever, forget that,,, just pray that some miracle happens and we do go ahead with Basha, Dasu, Bunji and other projects specially the ones that have SOME storage capacity.

 

[WAJsal]

it is called politics ...i firmly believe that some part of ANP and PPP politics runs on this dam

the whole Thal region and desert regions of Punjab, sindh and balochistan can be cultivated

And they opose this dam because they think it will cut of Sindh's water and benefit Punjab, in reality it will increase Sindh's water etc, etc. Such stupidity. It will also generate a lot of electricity too. Many advantages.

 

[VCheng]

Remember my words, we will have people dyeing of thirst, lands turned desert that you will forget the hundreds and thousands that died in Thar this year while we were either busy in D-Chowk or distributing lap tops!! Shame on ALL OF US! AND there wont be any fcking Kala Bagh dam ever, forget that,,, just pray that some miracle happens and we do go ahead with Basha, Dasu, Bunji and other projects specially the ones that have SOME storage capacity.

There are no miracles to be prayed for, only the fruits of hard work, if done properly. Or the consequences of not doing said hard work, as you mention.

 

[WAJsal]

Remember my words, we will have people dyeing of thirst, lands turned desert that you will forget the hundreds and thousands that died in Thar this year while we were either busy in D-Chowk or distributing lap tops!! Shame on ALL OF US! AND there wont be any fcking Kala Bagh dam ever, forget that,,, just pray that some miracle happens and we do go ahead with Basha, Dasu, Bunji and other projects specially the ones that have SOME storage capacity.

I'm quite optimistic about Bhasha,i think it will eventually get completed, it has a huge potential and many advantages. Will generate a lot of electricity too, well said we can only pray.

No actually Diamer Bhasha is bigger in both cultivation of land/water reserves and power generation. But it's more costly at the same time

At the end of the day it's worth every penny looking at our current situation.

 

[punit]

And they opose this dam because they think it will cut of Sindh's water and benefit Punjab, in reality it will increase Sindh's water etc, etc. Such stupidity. It will also generate a lot of electricity too. Many advantages.

central govt should bring a white paper on it .. listing out the actual benefits the dam will bring to the people of Sindh and other areas.

 

[xyxmt]

Kalabagh is no longer the future of Pakistan but is definitely an important project for future. But our priorities should only be diverted to Dasu dam, diamer Bhasha dam, bunji hydropower project and smaller run of the river projects.

Kalabagh is fine after all these dams have been built

more than electricity you need water storage, you can generate electricity from many sources, run of the river project has no relationship with huge dam as Kalabagh. how much have you lost in last three years due to flooding. 50 years from now you all will be arranging collective whining places where you curse and whine your earlier generations for not building enough water storage.

 

[Arsalan]

There are no miracles to be prayed for, only the fruits of hard work, if done properly. Or the consequences of not doing said hard work, as you mention.

I do not see us as a nation or the authorities getting to work let alone work hard so all that leaves us with is to pray.... Even though knowing that God help those who help themselves!!

I'm quite optimistic about Bhasha,i think it will eventually get completed, it has a huge potential and many advantages. Will generate a lot of electricity too, well said we can only pray.

At the end of the day it's worth every penny looking at our current situation.

what our people are not realizing is that the electricity will be a by product, not something that the dam is meant for. If we count in the flood control and millions of cubic feet of water for irrigation that alone is a well justified reason to build these reservoirs.