The newly-appointed Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman associated the economic stability and social uplift of Pakistan with the completion of 10 hydel power projects.
“These projects, which are scheduled to be completed from 2022 to 2029 in a phased manner, will add 11.7 million acre-feet (MAF) of gross water storage and 11,300 megawatts (MW) of low-cost, clean and green hydroelectricity to the national grid,” retired Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani, Wapda Chief, remarked after receiving comprehensive briefings on different projects.
“On-time completion is a huge challenge, but there lies an opportunity in these challenges as well. We can take the opportunity to lift Wapda’s stature at national as well as international level,” Wapda Chairman said.
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“My foremost priority is to complete these under-construction projects as per their schedules, in addition to initiating new projects to cope with the increasing requirements of water and electricity in the country,” Mr. Ghani asserted.
The Chairman had separate meetings on the mega hydel projects including Diamer Basha Dam, Mohmand Dam, and Dasu Hydropower Project. The Chairman was also apprised of the targets against accomplishments on the projects. Mr. Ghani stressed upon the projects’ management to implement a constructive approach which would be helpful for eliminating the bottlenecks in the way to smooth implementation of the projects.
Emphasizing the projects’ management, the chief commented that the task of scheduled accomplishment of WAPDA projects can be attained with a coherent partnership, for which, every employee must have to play his or her role with utmost dedication.
Moreover, the problems relating to the acquisition of land, logistics, and security, confidence-building measures in the projects’ areas, were also discussed in detail during the briefings.
As per the sources, the briefings were also attended by WAPDA Members Finance, Water and Power, General Managers, Diamer Basha Dam Chief Executive Officer, and representatives of the Consultants and Contractors of the projects.
