Disagreement over mega dams resulting in huge losses: PEW

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Government least bothered about water policy, strategy
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday said differences over construction of dams and lack of water storage capacity is inflicting an annual loss of 3.5 billion dollars to the national economy.
The dismal storage capacity of eight percent, water disputes and differences over mega dams has inflicted a loss of around 1.5 trillion dollars to the country in the last 45 years, he said.
Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that country will continue to brave losses as policymakers seems uninterested in a proper water policy and water strategy.

 We are divided over important issue while India has constructed 171 dams in occupied Kashmir to generate 28,000 megawatt of cheap electricity to propel its economy, he noted.
On the other hand, he said, we rely on costly options to generate power which has taken toll on masses as well as industry which is facing difficulty to remain competitive.
Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that agriculture is said to be backbone of the economy but only eight percent of 145 million acre feet of water is stored annually.
Proper water storage required three mega dams, he said, adding that country has not built a single mega dam in the last 41 years which is indifference.
The most important offices of Indus Rives System Authority and that of Indus Water Commissioner lack proper budget, staff and equipment.

In: UncategorizedAuthor: host