Work on Diamer Basha dam to start next year: Abid Sher

ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP): Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali on Friday said the process of land acquisition for Diamer Basha dam had almost been completed and physical work would start from next year.
“We’ve acquired the required land for the dam and work on it will start next year by all means,” Abid Sher Ali informed the National Assembly in response to a supplementary question asked by Aisha Syed during the question hour session.
He said no practical step for construction of dams was taken by the previous governments adding that the present government had initiated work on eight to nine new dams, with each of them producing over 50 megawatts of electricity.
He said after the 18th Amendment provinces could build dams, which could produce electricity upto 50 megawatts.
Earlier, answering a question asked by Shaikh Rohale Asghar, the minister said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) electricity generation projects were categorized as prioritized (10400 MVV) and actively promoted projects (6645 MW), having total capacity of 17045 MW.
“These electricity projects include wind, solar, hydro and coal generation projects. All of these projects are in IPP mode and being processed by Pakistan’s Alternate Energy Development Board AEDB and the Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB),” he said.
“The projects started by our government will generate electricity at a low cost and its benefits will trickle down to the consumers,” he added.
Replying to another question asked by Sher Akbar Khan, the minister said that elimination of corruption was the top most priority of the government adding that the ministry had taken stern disciplinary action against its employees who were found involved in corruption.
“So far we have taken action against 90 individuals of our department,” he said adding that if some solid proof is found, only then disciplinary proceedings under rules, can be initiated against the employees involved in corruption.