ON WATER CONSERVATION (WAPDA) March 22, 2016 (2016-02)

Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is a federal autonomous body that came into existence through an Act of parliament in 1958. The Authority comprises of a Chairman, three Members / MD (Water / Power & Finance) and a Secretary. The Government of Pakistan had assigned WAPDA the responsibility for optimal utilization of Water and Power Resources in the country. Simultaneously, it was also given the task of planning of Hydel Generation, Designing, Construction and installation of transmission and distribution Line. In 2007, through an Ordinance WAPDA was restructured / bifurcated into two separate entities l.e. WAPDA and PEPCO. The functions of Hydro Power and Water Sector Construction, Generation, Operation and Maintenance of Power Houses remained with WAPDA whereas the distribution (DISCOS) Generation of Thermal Power (GENCOs) and transmission of electricity (NTDC) were placed at disposal of PEPCO.

WAPDA appreciates the collaborated efforts, collective wisdom and support, provided by the various organization and other agencies of Provisional / Federal Government as well as the Donor Agencies i.e. IDB, World Bank, ADB, AFD, KFW. CIDA, Kuwait Fund, OPEC, SFD, Chinese Government, China Exim Bank Korean Investment Bank, USAID etc.

Wapda Hydel Power Stations produced 31,306 Million kWh Net Energy during the FY 2013-14 which is 34% of the total Hydel / Thermal Generation Mix of the Power System. Up-gradation & Refurbishment of Mangla Power Station has been started with the assistance of USAID. Feasibility Study and detail design for rehabilitation, up-gradation and modernization of Warsak Power Station has been completed which will ensure the running of the plant at its full capacity of 243 MW while. feasibility study of new Warsak Power House 300MW is under finalization. Planning work for up-gradation of Renala and Chitral Hydol Power Station is under progress which envisages enhancing their capacity from 01 MW to 04 MW and 01 MW to 05 MW respectively. Besides, Special Repair and Maintenance of Terbela Power Station is also being carried out under FARA/USAID.

Water Wing of WAPDA is responsible for planning, Designining and execution of Water Resources Development Projects in the Sector of Irrigation, drainage, and Hydro Power. Inter provincial major surface Water Projects including large dams are also operated and maintained by Water Wing, WAPDA

Indus Basin Projects (05 Barages, 08 Inter River Link Canal 1965-70, Mangla (1967) and Terbela Dam (1976) have already been completed by WAPDA Water wing and are contributing substantially, towards national economy.

Chashma Hydel Power Project having a generation capacity of 184MW of electricity has been operating since 2001. Ghazi Brotha Hydro Power Project with a generation capacity of 1450 MW of electricity has been functioning since 2003. National Drainage programe in four provinces has been completed since 2007.

More recently, Sabakzai Dam Project and Greater Thal Canal acres (Phase-1) have been completed in 2009 which are cultivating 6875 and 355,000 respectively. Mirani Dam Project has been completed and is in operation. Mangla Dam Raising Project has been completed in December 2009 and the project also in operation.

Commercial Operation of Khan Khawar HPP (72MW) started in November 2010. Satpara Dam has also started commercial operation 02 units in October 2007 and December 2008 and remaining two units in June 2013. Allai Khwar HPP (121MW) and Jinnah HPP (96MW) are also in commercial operation since March 2013 and October 2013 respectively. Duber Khwar HPP (130 MW) is also substantially completed and will start commercial operation within a month.

Gomal Zam Dam component has been completed, while work on irrigation. Component is in progress. Work on Rainee Canal (Phase-I), Kachhi Canal (Phase-1) and on drainage schemes RBOD-I & III in Sindh and Balochistan in progress. The infrastructure construction work of Diamer Bhasha Dam (4500 MW) is under progress. The other Dams namely Kurram Tangi Dam (83.4 MW), Akhori Dam (600 MW) & Mohmand Dam Hydro Power Project (740 MW) are also under Tendering and Design Stage.

Neelum Jhelum 969 MW, Golan Gol (106 MW) & Tarbela 4th Extension 1410 MW HPPs are under construction. Lower Palas Valley 665 MW and lower Spat Gah 496 MW are being constructed on Public Private Partnership Mode.

All study of Dasu HPP 4320 MW being financed by World Bank are complete and tendering is expected to be under taken soon. Feasibility Study of Thakot 2800 MW, Basho 40 MW, Harpo 34.5 MW and Patan 2800 MW is in progress.

In addition WAPDA has initiated construction work on 12 small medium Dams, these projects are located in provinces of Pakistan. Balochistan, Sindh, KPK and Punjab.

WAPDA has taken up linning of Muzaffargarh Canal to control Water Logging due to Muzaffargarh and T.P Link Canal. WAPDA has also carried out a detailed study of a pilot project on lining of main Canal (Dadu, Rice Rohari at Upper reach).

In addition to this special research has been initiated on Glacial Monitoring in the wake of global warming and future strategy to store / conserve the additional water from the melting of Glaciers.

WAPDA has initiated work on inland Water Ways Transportation System PC-II has been submitted to Govt of Pakistan to obtain official permission undertake the feasibility study. WAPDA is also dealing studies on the potential of storing water in underground shells during Floods and near hill Torrents.

WAPDA Sports Board was established in 1960 for promotion of sports in Wapda with the ultimate goal of increasing the organizations participation at the national level. It obtained affiliation with the Pakistan Olympic Association in 1984. WAPDA has shown noteworthy achievements in the field of sports by wining 137medals. (Gold, Bronze and Silver) in the national games.

WAPDA earnest endeavors are reflecting of its commitment to support the national economy and help in poverty alleviation through improved Hydel Thermal Mix of Power generation, provision of electricity at affordable rates and above all perspective planning and timely execution of projects to meet Water and Power demands of the growing population.

On Water Conservation" (WAPDA), a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/-denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on March 22, 2016.