LAHORE, March 23: An additional 2.88 million acre feet (MAF) water will be available for irrigation after the completion of Mangla Dam Raising Project.

Besides, an additional 644 Giga watt hours (Gwh) electricity would be generated from the existing power house, said Caretaker Federal Power Minister Tariq Hamid during his visit to the Mangla Dam Project.

Wapda chairman Shakil Durrani and member (water) Muhammad Mushtaq Chaudhry were also present on the occasion, said a news release issued here on Sunday.

Expressing satisfaction on the pace of work, the minister hoped that the accrual of benefits in terms of sustained generation and irrigation supplies would start during the current year. He appreciated the services being rendered by Wapda consultants and contractors for the project.

However, the minister directed the contractors CWE-DESCON Joint Venture to further enhance their resources on the critical areas so as to achieve the targets.

He emphasised early provision of water supply to the New Mirpur city being developed for resettlement of the project's affectees.

Earlier, Tariq Hamid was briefed on the progress of main components of the project. The minister visited the emergency spillway, main spillway, main dam, intake structure, Sukhian dyke, Jari dam and New Mirpur City. —APP