Gomal Zam Dam to start generating 17.4MW shortly

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ISLAMABAD: Installation of electro-mechanical equipments in Gomal Zam Power House for generating 17.4 megawatts (MW) has been completed and power-generating units will be put on mechanical run shortly, leading to the electricity generation.

Official sources said here on Monday that construction work on the project was continuing despite financial constraints and law and order situation in the project's area, which was reflective of Water and Power Development Authority's (WAPDA) commitment for harnessing the indigenous water resource vital for progress and prosperity of the country.

Gomal Zam Dam was constructed at about 35 kilometres from Tank at Khjori Kach area of South Waziristan that would irrigate 163,086 acres barren land of Tank and DI Khan districts.

They said that the dam would have 1-14 million acre feet (MAF) gross live storage of water whereas 0.360 MAF of perennial and flood flow of river Gomal to provide irrigation water to barren lands.

A 437 feet high dam, a barrage, a canal network of 260 kms and electricity generation capacity of 17.4 MW were included in the project, they said.

The sources said that WAPDA has also initiated construction of Waran Canal System as an integral component of Gomal Zam Dam Project, located in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

They said that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was providing $12 million for construction of Waran Canal System in addition to providing $80 million to help complete the main dam, powerhouse and irrigation system of Gomal Zam Dam Project.

Dilating upon the additional benefits of Waran Canal System, they said that crop sowing in the area would increase from 26 percent to 87 percent and harvesting intensity from 9.0 percent to 80 percent, besides boosting the livestock and making drinking water available to the local populace.

It is pertinent to mention that Gomal Zam Dam is a multipurpose project with the objectives to ensure availability of water for irrigated agriculture, control floods and provide low-cost hydel electricity.

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