The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Pakistan has spent Rs1.9 billion on socio-economic development schemes in the Mohmand Dam Project area under its Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), aimed at improving the living standards of local communities.

According to WAPDA, a total of Rs4.5 billion has been allocated for 54 development schemes identified by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in consultation with local representatives as part of the project’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

“So far, Rs1.9 billion has been spent in Phase-I on completion of 18 schemes in the Project area relating to infrastructure development, drinking water, health, education, sports and electricity etc.,” WAPDA said in a statement.

The authority said work is underway on several major schemes, including the Abazai-Yousuf Baba Road and a drinking water supply project for Sappare Mulagori.

WAPDA also announced that construction of five schools will begin soon in the Mohmand, Bajaur and Malakand districts. These include Government Primary School Shaheed Banda, Government Girls Primary School Shaheed Banda and Government Primary School Daryab Kor in Tehsil Pindyali, along with Government Girls Primary School Johar in Bajaur and Government Girls Primary School Ghwand in Malakand.

The update was shared during a meeting reviewing development schemes under the CBMs of the Mohmand Dam Project.

WAPDA is constructing the Mohmand Dam Project on the Swat River with a storage capacity of 1.29 million acre-feet (MAF) of water. The project is also expected to generate 800 MW of low-cost and environment-friendly hydropower and supply 300 million gallons of water per day to Peshawar for municipal use.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China