Power generation at Gomal Zam Dam begins today
Gomal Zam Dam is Pakistans first roller compact concrete dam.
SOUTH WAZIRISTAN (Dunya News) – Power generation from Gomal Zam Dam will be started after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor inaugurates the project today (Wednesday).
Located in the South Waziristan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the multi-purpose Gomal Zam Dam is Pakistan’s first roller compact concrete (RCC) dam. It will not only irrigate 163,000 acres barren land of Tank district and Kulachi tehsil of D.I.Khan, but will also generate 17.5 MW of low-cost hydel power.
According to a report by the Planning Commission, D.I. Khan and Tank are among the 25 poorest districts of the country. The agricultural land either remains ‘barani’ (rain-fed) or the farmers are dependent on indigenous irrigation system known as ‘rod kohi’ (hill torrent).
But the commencement of the project will help store the water for irrigation, mitigate floods, and provide the employment opportunities for youth and also bolster the income of poor segments of society.
Chinese engineers working on the Gomal Dam in South Waziristan had suspended operations after their engineers were killed in a militant kidnapping in 2004.
Later, the contract was given to Frontier Works Organisation (FWO).
