ISLAMABAD:
Water sector development in the next fiscal year will face a major funding constraint as the government proposes allocations of Rs 179 billion against a required outlay of Rs 969 billion.
According to sources, the Ministry of Water Resources had projected a total need of Rs 969 billion for ongoing and planned development schemes. However, the government has proposed to allocate only Rs 179 billion, reflecting a substantial downward adjustment in available funding.
The upcoming development budget includes 41 ongoing projects, while only one new plan has been incorporated. The only new initiative concerns a power generation facility linked to the Diamer-Bhasha dam.
500 million rupees have been proposed for this new project. Additionally, Rs 25 billion has been suggested for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam itself, while Rs 7 billion is proposed for land acquisition related to the project.
The hydropower generation facility attached to Diamer-Bhasha is part of the broader investment framework prioritized in the new budget.
Funding has also been proposed for several major ongoing hydropower and water infrastructure projects. These include Rs 25 billion for the Dasu hydropower project, Rs 39 billion for the Mohmand dam and Rs 428 million for the rehabilitation of the Warsak hydropower plant.
For irrigation and water supply schemes, Rs 500 crore has been proposed for the Kachhi Canal project, while Rs 13,000 crore has been allocated for the Greater Karachi Water Supply Scheme.
Additionally, Rs 5,760 crore is proposed for installation of a telemetry system on the Indus River, aimed at improving real-time water monitoring and management.
To expand and improve the existing storage capacity, Rs 4,590 crore has been allocated for the Mangla Dam expansion project, while Rs 3,400 crore has been suggested for the fifth phase of expansion of the Tarbela hydropower project.
According to official estimates, the Dasu hydropower project has a total cost of over Rs 1,737 billion.
The Diamer-Bhasha dam is estimated at Rs 479 billion, while its power generation component is valued at Rs 174 billion.
The Mohmand Dam project has an estimated initial cost of Rs 309 billion.
