KOHAT: Financial hiccups have been causing inordinate delay in the embankment raising project of Tanda Dam, to increase the storage capacity of the silty reservoir.

The dam built for irrigation purposes was inaugurated by former military ruler Ayub Khan in 1967. It was completed under the supervision of the late Amir Mohammad Khan, popularly known as Khan of Kalabagh, who was governor of West Pakistan at that time.

The subdivisional officer, Arsalan Khan Wazir, at the camp office of the irrigation department at Tanda Dam, said that the Rs2,545 million project with 363 cusecs of discharge capacity would benefit 125,000 farmers and the complaints of the tail-end users would be addressed.

Mr Wazir said that a new dyke behind the old one had to be raised by 14 feet for which so far Rs1,445 miilion had been released to the contractor, National Logistic Cell.

But after the June 2024 extension, an unexpected snaghit the project, he said, adding, now the probable date of completion of the project, subject to the release of the remaining funds, was June 2025 after grant of a one-time extension.

The scenic lake and guest house, now in ruins, has been attracting a large number of picnickers for excursion. Renovation of the rest house and reconstruction of Barh road connecting some 18 villages were also part of the project. The road would be submerged after the completion of the project, he said.

The canal, barrage, spillway, and the lake itself would supply ample water to farms of Dhodha, Kot, Kharamato, Ghulam Banda, Bahadar Kot, Togh Bala and Payan, Kalo Chinna, Shiekhan, Shahpur, Sor Gul, Chambai, Jarma and Tappi areas.

He said abundant water would be available for crops in Kharif and Rabi seasons, especially during drought due to climatic change.

He regretted that the mushroom growth of housing societies was eating up the farmland and the delicacy of Kohat guava orchards was also in ruins.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2025