ACCELERATORY PROGRAMME FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
SMALL / MEDIUM DAMS IN PAKISTAN

INTRODUCTION

The Government of Pakistan, in support of four Provincial Governments, FATA, Northern Areas and Azad Jamu Kashmir (AJK) has placed the highest priority to the development of water resources and generation of Hydel Power. Apart from initiating construction of Neelum Jehlum Hydel Power Project (969 MW) and under taking the 4,500 MW Diamer Basha Dam with a live storage of 6.1 MAF water, the Government plans the construction of 32 Small/Medium water reservoir dams in the four provinces and FATA.

During the financial year 2009-2010 construction would start on 12 Small/Medium Dams in the four provinces. These include Hingol, Winder, Naulong, Pelar and Garuk in Balochistan; Gabir and Papin in Punjab; Nai Gaj, Darawat (Nal Baran) and Sita in Sindh and Daraban Zam and Bara Dams in NWFP / FATA.

To accomplish the task of construction Small / Medium Dams, expeditiously WAPDA has created a Small / Medium Dams Directorate, which will provide technical, contractual and coordination support to all projects.

OBJECTIVES

The combine storage of these reservoirs totals 2.15 MAF, which would irrigate 353,000 acres of land under conventional flood irrigation means, while the area under irrigation would rise to approximately 636,000 acres once micro irrigation methods of sprinkler and drip are introduced and these projects will also generate about 21 MW of hydropower electricity.

Furthermore, the Government envisages utilizing this Project for emancipation of women and poor community of the area by providing (a) ownership rights of land to one local landless and deserving woman per family and the poor, (b) capacity building in agriculture processing, (c) assured employment, and (d) micro-financing facilities. The state land in the command area would be made available for this purpose.

FUNDING MECHANISM

For construction of 32 dams, the Government of Pakistan through Economic Affairs Division has signed an agreement with China Exim Bank to provide financing of US$ 700 million as Buyer’s Credit. Buyers credit application has already been submitted to China Exim Bank.

In addition Government of Pakistan has also earmarked Rs.2.5 Billion in the current financial year (2009-10) PSDP for construction of 12 Small / Medium Dams.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

Environmental Impact Assessment Studies of Phase-II Projects prepared and submitted to Provincial Environmental Protection Agencies for clearance.

BIDDING PROCESS

Tenders on ICB (Measurement Basis) have been invited for Nai Gaj in Dec.2009 Naulong and Hingol Dam Projects in January 2010.

Tenders on EPC basis for Winder and Darawat Dam Projects have been received on September 28, 2009 and November 16, 2009 respectively. Bids are in process of evaluation and award.

Tenders on EPC basis for Garuk and Pelar in Balochistan invited in March 2010, Bara and Daraban Zam in March, 2009 in NWFP and Ghabir and Papin in Punjab in January, 2010 are also invited.

The up gradation of engineering studies of the Phase-I Projects are in progress with the help of consultants.

The engineering studies of Phase-II Projects are being initiated.


1.


Small Dam Phase-II