Significant progress is being reported on the construction of the strategic Mohmand Dam, a mega-project poised to address Pakistan's critical water and power needs. During a recent site visit, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (r) Muhammad Saeed was briefed that overall project completion has now reached the 50% mark, with key components advancing at a satisfactory pace.
Detailed Progress on Key Sites
Construction activities are in full swing across ten major sites of the project. Following the completion of pit excavation in mid-2023, the main dam's rock fill has been raised to an elevation of 392 meters above mean sea level. Work on the crucial spillway structure is approximately 70% finished.
At the powerhouse site, surface excavation and rock support for the power intake are complete, allowing structural works to commence. In a significant development, the detailed design for the powerhouse's electro-mechanical equipment has been finalized, paving the way for the manufacturing phase to begin.
A Project of National Importance
Chairman WAPDA, after reviewing sites including the spillway, main dam, quarry, and powerhouse, underscored the project's urgency. He emphasized that the timely completion of Mohmand Dam is vital to meet the country's growing demands for water and affordable electricity. He directed the contractor to expedite quarry development and deploy additional resources to adhere to contractual timelines.
The consultants were urged to ensure strict implementation of the resource-loaded revised schedule to achieve the 2026 milestones. The project is slated to begin electricity generation by early 2028.
Multifaceted Benefits for the Region and Country
Mohmand Dam is being constructed on the River Swat in the Mohmand District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Once complete, this 213-meter high structure will be the world's fifth-highest Concrete Faced Rockfill Dam (CFRD).
Its benefits are extensive:
- Water Storage & Irrigation: With a gross storage capacity of 1.29 million acre-feet (MAF), it will irrigate 18,233 acres of new land in Mohmand and Charsadda and supplement supplies to 160,000 acres of existing land.
- Flood Control: The dam will help mitigate floods in Charsadda, Peshawar, and Nowshera.
- Drinking Water: It will supply 300 million gallons per day to Peshawar for municipal use.
- Clean Energy: The dam's 800 MW installed capacity will add 2.86 billion units of low-cost, green hydel electricity to the national grid annually.
Beyond infrastructure, the project is a catalyst for socio-economic development in a remote area, having already created 7,000 employment opportunities, with priority given to locals. Furthermore, Rs. 4.5 billion has been earmarked for local development schemes as a confidence-building measure.
