As many of you know about this burning issue from Post-PTV period. But why there isn't any solution for this problem??? Beside all issues relating to energy sector, what's that much importance of this DAM that Punjab government wants it to be constructed. And recently the LHC issued orders for it's construction. Albeit topic/issue is very old and have been discussed several times. But now it has become different in every perspective. Need your expert opinions. over to you fellas

Muhammad Asif in his book ENERGY CRISIS IN PAKISTAN Origins, Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions published by Oxford writes about Kalabagh Dam

The energy outlook of Pakistan cannot be complete without an account of the Kalabagh Dam. The project was a natural progression of the Indus Basin Development Programme. Apart from its massive importance as a storage medium for a large amount of vital irrigation water and a cushion for flood control, it was also to serve as a large resource of cheap and sustainable electricity. The project was originally to be completed by the early 1990s, however due to its politicization every government over the last three decades kept on shelving it. The current government went a step further to declare that the dam is being scrapped. Interestingly, this decision came when the country was facing the worst crisis of its history and energy deals were being made that were disastrously expensive and unsustainable compared to what the Kalabagh Dam could have offered. Moreover, the decision was made without any concrete discussion on the subject in parliament.

A quick review of the electricity generation potential of the project reflects upon its importance for the power sector. The installed capacity of the Kalabagh Dam would be 3600 MW. The dam is estimated to be capable of annually generating 11400 GWh of the electricity. Furthermore, the conjunctive operation of Kalabagh and Tarbela would enable the latter to generate 336 GWh of electricity in addition to its existing power production, thus taking the tally to 11736GWh. This much electricity from IPPs is being purchased in 2009 at a price of around Rs 131.5 billion. Generating it from Kalabagh Dam would have cost below Rs 6.5 billion. Simply the energy price Pakistan is paying for neglecting the Kalabagh Dam during 2009 stands at over Rs 125billion. It has been nearly twenty years now that WAPDA and Pakistan are experiencing huge economical damage for delaying the project. Ironically, the magnitude of the damage would grow year upon year. Considering the economics of the power projects in pipeline, the annual price of delaying the Kalabagh Dam in 2010 would easily rise up to staggering figure of Rs 150 billion. Including the agricultural benefits the dam would bring, the total cost of neglecting it becomes considering higher.

There have been some provincial objections on the viability of the Kalabagh Dam particularly from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh in terms of possible reduced quota of water and threats of flooding. WAPDA officials, including those belonging to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, however, who have been involved with the project in different capacities over the years, think otherwise. On the basis of its own assessments and the independent studies undertaken by foreign companies, WAPDA dismisses the apprehensions from these provinces. According to WAPDA, the independent reviews have completely dismissed the fears of the flooding. While the issues of mangrove forests and fisheries have also been adequately addressed in these studies, WAPDA, in conjunction with the Government of Pakistan and other relevant departments, also pledges to ensure the sufficient supply of irrigation water of all provinces. Commitments have also been made to resettle the displaced people.

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Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Is Kala Bagh only solution to over come electricity shortfall?? Where else our neighbour india is preferring solar energy instead of any other source, not only india but many other developed and developing countries too. We already are facing water shortages due to Indians hypocrisy, no doubt Punjab is having a major share (70%) of agriculture but we can't ignore other 3 of the provinces. One can not only survive on wheat,sugarcane etc. . . many other things are necessary to grow too. In sindh we are having world's 7th largest coal reservoirs but still there isn't any progress. . why?? Almost all of our turbines are powered by oil or gas where else coal is much cheaper and easily available. I simply condemn and protest on behalf of sindh,kp and balouchistan aginst LHC's decision. Government should invest in other sectors where from electricity can be availed but not like Raja saheb did. There should be projects like planting wind mills in those areas which are most suitable for it. Should lay down solar panels in cities like sukkur, jacobabad, larkana, sibi, dalbadeen where we have maximum sun light available. Kala Bagh isn't a benign source but only way to create dispute between provinces.

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Dekha hai aino'n ko paseene se tarba tar. . .
Ya Rab! haqeeqato'n se koi aashna na ho. . .

Dear Assassin007

if kala Bagh Dam would have been installed, Nation were not face the devastating floods of 2010,which affected a large area of KP. Dam is in the best benefit of KP, not only is the sense of creating cheap electricity but also it can serve as a protective shield against flood, that adds misery in the already instable economic condition of pakistan,letting many homeless ,IDPs problem! all provinces should think rationally and for the best benefit of nation,rather than, their vested interests!

it's totally a fiasco and it's construction will once again lead us to politics of bloodshed. So it would be better that LHC should take it's decision back as soon as possible. One thing which never had been feasible how could it become feasible now?? If three of the provinces don't want it to be constructed then one should not impose any thing over anyone.

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Dekha hai aino'n ko paseene se tarba tar. . .
Ya Rab! haqeeqato'n se koi aashna na ho. . .

yes your point is quite relevant and reasonable ,

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LOVE all, TRUST a few, do WRONG to none......

Will you explain your statement?

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Work until your idols become your rivals.

would you be kind enough to tell me to which province do you belong???

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Dekha hai aino'n ko paseene se tarba tar. . .
Ya Rab! haqeeqato'n se koi aashna na ho. . .

So you believe it is an ethnic issue not economic and political one?

I just want to know your opinion on how kalabagh dam is doing disfavor to all the nation in general and to the three provinces in particular?

__________________
Work until your idols become your rivals.

No not at all . . . . It isn't an ethnic issue neither i want to make it. . . I belong to sindh and own almost 100-150 acres of land for cultivation. From which less then 70 acres can be cultivated just because of water shortage. And from that 70 acres 20-30% crops aren't of any use due to climate conditions. We spent millions and get thousands in return. We don't get any subsidy or financial assistance by any of government sector. And our land is only source of income for us, from past few years we have not been able to grow something in plenty. I don't have any personal intentions regarding Kala Bagh's construction but please do not let our lands get barren. I'd mention many other sources to generate electricity which are 101% useful. Indians are stealing our water but even then our "Aman ki Asha" is alive. Try to achieve something on international level instead of national level. I invite you to my village and want you to listen voice of common people what they think about it. And take it in broader sense yesterday sindh assembly has passed resolution against kala bagh, and other two are also not in it's favor. For few M.W's of electricity don't block income of thousands.

__________________
Dekha hai aino'n ko paseene se tarba tar. . .
Ya Rab! haqeeqato'n se koi aashna na ho. . .