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India has undertaken about 23 hydroelectric projects on Chenab and Jhelum rivers which have already hampered the flow of water in these rivers.
Take the example of South Korea, a high income deve-loped country with 4th largest economy of Asia. Having almost no natural resources but is termed as one of the fastest growing economy in the world. On the other hand, Pakistan is blessed with abundance of natural and human resources (take the example of coal) but what has gone wrong over the years that we have not been able to exploit the potential of these resources to the benefit of common man.
One such example is the scarcity of electricity in a country with average escape of above 31 MAF water below Kotri every year. In 2010 it was 52 MAF. Reasons for declining share of hydroelectricity are depleting capacity of three big water reservoirs, Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma due to sedimentation and lack of any initiative to undertake any major project to meet the future demand of electricity in the country.
We have already lost 4.18 MAF storage capacity of three main reservoirs against the average of 31 MAF downstream Kotri flows. In the year 2010 escape of 52 MAF water below Kotri due to severe flooding has necessitated the demand for construction of more water reservoirs to protect from flooding and use water for irrigation and power generation. Against the average annual flowing of 31 MAF the anticipated use of water is:-
1. Downstream Kotri requirement 8.6 MAF
2. Mangla Dam raising project 2.9 MAF
3. Indian use of western rivers
2.0 MAF Water as per Indus Water Treaty
4. Available water for development 17.2 MAF
At the same time India has also undertaken at least 23 hydroelectric pro
The table below will suffice to make it clear:-
Reservoir Sedimentation (MAF)
Reservoir Storage capacity Percentage less
Original year 2011 Year 2012
Tarbela 9.69 6.77 3.08 (30%)
Mangla 5.87 5.07 .84(14%)
Chashma .72 .26 .48(67%)
Total 16.28 12.10 4.40 (37%)
* Excluding Mangla Dam raising project
We have already lost 4.18 MAF storage capacity of three main reservoirs against the average of 31 MAF downstream Kotri flows. In the year 2010 escape of 52 MAF water below Kotri due to severe flooding has necessitated the demand for construction of more water reservoirs to protect from flooding and use water for irrigation and power generation. Against the average annual flowing of 31 MAF the anticipated use of water is:-
1. Downstream Kotri requirement 8.6 MAF
2. Mangla Dam raising project 2.9 MAF
3. Indian use of western rivers 2.0 MAF
Water as per Indus Water Treaty
4. Available water for development 17.2 MAF
For optimum utilization of available water resources WAPDA is executing following projects:-
Project Storage Capacity Power (MW)
Mangla Dam Raising 2.9 MAF 120
Gomal Zam Dam .892 17.4
Satpara Dam .053 17.36
Khurram Tangi Dam .90 83.4
4.745 240.16 MW
At the same time India has also undertaken at least 23 hydroelectric projects of different capacities on Chenab and Jhelum rivers which have already hampered the flow of water in these rivers. India has altogether ignored the objections raised by Pakistan against the design of Kishanganga Hydroelectric power project being constructed on Kishanganga known in Pakistan as Neelum River. India has completed two-third of construction work on Kishanganga Dam and has diverted the Neelum water by constructing 21 KM long canal. The Dam will be completed by 2012. According to Indus Waters Treaty, India will have the superior right because of early completion of the Project whereas Neelum-Jhelum Hydroelectric Project is at least two years behind Kishanganga due to late commencement of work. On commissioning of Kishanganga the capacity of Neelum-Jhelum Hydroelectric Project will be affected by 10 to 12 per cent. This is an alarming situation for Pakistan and necessitates that the efforts should be geared up in full swing to harness water resources and to raise the issue of Indian use of water of western and Neelum rivers in violation of Indus Waters Treaty at all forums.
Some of the projects proposed to be constructed on western Rivers by India includes 450 MW Dul Hasti Dam (near completion), proposed Bursar Pakul Dul and Swalkote projects having 1000 MW combined capacity. Some other projects proposed on Chenab River are Salal Hydroelectric project, Kirthai Dam, Uri Project I and II, Nimoo Bazgo, Dhumkhar Dam, Chutak Dam.
A look at the average annual flow and storage capacity of dams of some major river basins will reveal that how far behind we are in harnessing our water resources.
River Basin Annual Average Flow No of Dams Storage Capacity (MAF)
MAF
Colorado 12 3 59.62
Nile 47 1 132
Sutlej Beas 32 5 11.32
Yellow River 345 7 68.95
Indus & other 145 3 18.37 rivers
Government which is facing many challenges is passing through a very critical time. It is, however, a good omen that our policy makers are trying their level best to come up with a comprehensive strategy as far as energy crisis is concerned. A number of projects are underway to increase the share of hydroelectricity in the national grid. These are:-
Name of Project Hydropower (MW) Completion Time
Khan Khwar Besham KP 72 by end of 2011
Duber Khwar Kohstan KP 130 by 2012
Allai Khwar Battagram, KP 121 by 2012
Jinnah Hydropower project 96 by end of 2011
Neelum Jhelum, AJK 969 by of 2015
1388
Some more hydroelectric projects have also been identified which are being undertaken for implementation in the years to come:-
Name of Project River location Capacity (MW)
Diamer Basha Dam Indus GB 4500
Tarbela 4th Extension Indus KP 960
Kohala Jhelum AJK 1100
Darn Indus KP 4320
Bunji Indus TB 7100
Munda Swat FATA/KP 740
Patan Indus KP 2800
21500
It is hoped that the electricity crisis will be over in the coming years and these multipurpose dams will also help a lot in increasing agricultural production as well as power generation. Now it is incumbent on the present government and successive governments to show political will for the early completion of these projects which are very vital for the progress and prosperity of the nation.
