ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to construct a dam on the Chenab River at Chiniot as part of efforts to counter what officials describe as India’s ongoing water aggression.
The update was shared during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources, chaired by Senator Shahdat Awan. The committee was informed that the feasibility study for the dam has been completed, while the PC-I is currently under preparation.
Officials also briefed the committee that the National Flood Protection Plan, costing Rs 824 billion, is awaiting approval from the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
Additionally, the Senate committee directed all provincial governments to immediately remove encroachments from riverbanks to ensure smooth water flow and prevent future hazards.
The Chairman Committee expressed strong displeasure at not ensuring the removal of encroachments from the river channels including Punjab and Sindh, saying that if these encroachments are not removed before the next monsoon, it will be a criminal act.
WAPDA officials also apprised the committee about the telemetry system being installed across the country for water flow monitoring and flood early warning system.
