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Mangla Dam - A Harbinger of Peace and Prosperity
by
Mumtaz Hamid Rao
With the rapid influx of the 'new arrivals' on the
dazzling Earth planet, a new perception - based on the
real facts - is surfacing that the ' future wars
between the nations will be fought for water instead
of pieces of lands of each other'. Prima facie this
concept seems to be a harbinger with a clear-cut
mindset for today's world that it should - right now -
start concentrating on mobilizing water resources
rather than blind collection of weapons. In the words
of noted theorist Mike Murdock ' Truth is the most
powerful force on earth because it cannot be
changed'. Going into micro interpretation of this
vision, each one would come to the conclusion that
'whereas water is the name of survival with dignity,
the arms are the perilous course of the human
devastation.'
The foremost need for every nation around the globe,
which needs attention with optimal zest in the 'global
village' thus is to amplify and accelerate steps for
enhancing water resources - the only pre-requisite for
the survival of the mankind as the peace and prosperity
can achieved only and only via this approach , if
adopted by the pragmatists. Its hard fact that
whosoever came to this world has to make a petite
sacrifice to achieve a cherished goal to the
multilateral benefit of the co-existents. Its again a
reality - persevered by historians - that ever since
the birth of this planet, multiple socities emerged
and vanished in the arena, spread over years in times
beyond once imagination.
Realizing this truthful perception, a grand step has
been initiated - the raising of the Mangla Dam, which
has no doubt played a pivotal role in making our
sanctified soils with a 'lush - green land'.
The Chairman National Kashmir Committee, Sardar Abdul
Qayyum has appositely has said that initiation of a
step for uplifting of this dam has made in larger
national interest. Correct that "this is a historic
decision and raising of Mangla Dam would equally
benefit the people of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.”
His words that "raising of Mangla Dam was imperative
as due to silting, water storage capacity in the Dam
was decreasing day by day," are visibly based on
nothing except the whole truth. His perception that
construction of more dams would have healthy impacts
on Pakistani and Kashmiri people, ought to be
acknowledged without any reservations.
If one views with a realistic analysis, the
newly-launched Rs. 59 billion gigantic Mangla Dam
Raising Project will usher in the new era of speedy
progress and prosperity through bringing about green
revolution in the country.
Since the project will augment supply of irrigation
water in various parts of the country particularly in
Punjab and Sindh provinces at a time when country is
in its dire need.
There will be additional power generation and further
flood alleviation as a result of raising by 30 feet of
the dam from the existing 1210 feet level.
The conservation level of the dam will be raised by 40
feet from existing 1202 feet conservation level. On
the average, annual water availability for irrigation
releases for various parts of the country including
both Sindh and Punjab would increase by 2.9 million
Muqaab acre feet (MAF).
The quantity of water shall immensely increase which
will enhance the agriculture productions in Punjab and
Sindh to greater extent. Resultantly more large scale
area shall come under irrigation opening new avenues
of employment of the rural population of both the
provinces.
In addition to that due to additional storage of water
in Mangla Dam reservoir and availability of constant
head the generation of inexpensive Hydel electricity
shall increase which
will reduce the additional burden of expensive thermal
energy from IPPs (Independent Power Project).
Punjab and Sindh provinces will also enjoy the maximum
availability of water through canals and subordinate
water
channels to irrigate more large scale areas.
Azad Jammu Kashmir will equally be highly benefitting
from the Dam raising project as the downstream areas
on thousands acres of lands in Mirpur and Bhimbher
districts shall be brought under irrigation after
having water from the dam in the light of the
commitment by the government.
Water from the dam could also be utilized for drinking
purposes in Mirpur and the adjoining hamlets on the
periphery of the Mangla lake through execution of the
greater water supply
schemes in Mirpur and the adjoining areas.
The average annual energy output is estimated increase
by 772 GWH which is equivalent to an increase of about
150 megawatts in output of the existing 1000-MW power
plant.
The raising project will also generate construction
activity and employment opportunities at large scale.
The dam has already contributed significantly towards
improvement of the environment in terms of agriculture
growth, job opportunities and improved standard of
living. Availability of additional water and hydro
power will further enhance these
positive impacts.
Since the completion in 1967, the gross storage
capacity of Mangla reservoir has reduced by about 20
percent due to sediments deposition. Compensating for
the capacity lost to sedimentation has in mind and a
provision for raising of the dam was kept in the
original design and construction of the dam.
Raising of the dam has now gained importance on
account of the growing shortage of irrigation due to
sedimentation of the country's two major storage
reservoirs at Terbela and
Mangla. Raising of the Mangla Dam will help into
regain the reservoir capacity lost to sediment
deposition and make
provision for future sedimentation.
Main features of the project include four earth dams
with a maximum height of 454 ft. (154 meters) and
total length of about 13 kilometers. For flood
routing, two spillways are provided.
Hydro power is generated through ten units of 100
megawatts each.
Water to the power generating units is supplied
through five tunnels.
Irrigation releases are usually made through the
tunnels, occasionally supplemented by release through
the main spillway.
When completed in 1967, Mangla reservoir, had a gross
storage capacity of 5.878 million Maqaab Feet (MAF),
which by now has reduced to 4.68 MAF. The capacity
will reduce further to 4.5 MAF by the time the dam
raising project is completed in June 2007.
After the launching of the long-awaiting decision for
taking up the boundaries of the dam, people expect an
expeditious implementation on the construction of
other dam elsewhere in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir as
well to make the sacred homeland a prosperous,
glorious and lush green lands all around - free from
dependency on the aliens. With this not only that
Pakistan can be made free from imports of stuff for
the humanity but also emerge as an exporter of
multiple items of daily use - a hallmark of a de
facto sovereign state. Keeping in view the future needs
of the basics for the quick survival of the mankind,
let every one know the words of the eminent
philosopher Marcel Proust wherein he says "The real
act of discovery is not in finding new lands, but in
seeing with new eyes."
The author is a noted journalist, political analyst and ex-Director News Pakistan TV.
Source:
by courtesy & © 2002 Mumtaz Hamid Rao
by the same
author:
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