The government has released Rs22.859 billion for various water projects under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) till November 2022, WealthPK reported. The government has specified a sum of Rs97.559 billion for various projects in the PSDP for the fiscal year 2022-23. Out of the total, the local component stands at Rs17.859 billion, while foreign aid component stands at Rs4.581 billion, according to data of the Planning Commission.

The ongoing schemes include 13 hydel and 61 water sector projects, whereas the new projects are only 13 in total. The allocation of ongoing hydel projects includes Rs55.383 billion for Dasu Hydropower Project (2,160MW), Rs12.083 billion for Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (696MW), and Rs12 billion for Tarbela 5th Extension Hydro Power Project (1,410MW).

Among the ongoing water sector projects, Rs20 billion each was allocated for Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project and K-4 Greater Water Supply Scheme (260 MGD), Rs12.06 billion for Mohmand Multipurpose Dam Project, Rs7 billion for Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project (Land Acquisition and Re-settlement), and Rs5 billion each for Nai Gaj Dam Project Dadu (Sindh province) and Kachhi Canal Project (Phase-I) Dera Bugti, Naseerabad, Bolan and Jhal Magsi (Balochistan province).

The major allocation for new schemes included Rs500 million for the Chashma Right Bank Canal Left Cum Gravity Project, and Rs300 million each for the construction of five small dams -- Salari-2 Dam, Rai Jo Da Dam, Shalmani Dam, Garwari Dam and Amari Dam in Kohistan Dadu, and six other dams.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk