In a significant leap forward for Pakistan’s water and energy security, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) achieved a major milestone with the commencement of main dam construction at the colossal Mohmand Dam Project.
Federal Minister for Water Resources, Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo, personally marked the occasion during an inspection visit, accompanied by WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd), the Project Director, consultants, and contractors. This critical phase follows the successful completion of essential prerequisites, including river diversion, coffer dams, the dam plinth, and extensive excavation of foundations and abutments.
The Minister toured key construction sites the Diversion System, Power Intake Tunnel, Spillway, Power House, and the Main Dam itself, witnessing intense activity. Project officials briefed him that work is currently progressing at 14 different locations across the vast site, expressing satisfaction with the overall advancement.
“This project underscores the Federal Government’s absolute commitment to addressing Pakistan’s escalating water scarcity and need for affordable electricity,” declared Minister Wattoo during his visit. “WAPDA and the Ministry are making exhaustive efforts to complete these vital mega-projects. Mohmand Dam is central to this strategy, promising substantial water storage and low-cost, clean hydropower. We are confident WAPDA will meet the 2027-28 completion deadline and pledge the Ministry’s full support.”
Rising 213 meters on the Swat River in Mohmand District, the dam will be the world’s fifth-highest Concrete Faced Rockfill Dam (CFRD). Its reservoir will hold 1.29 million acre-feet (MAF) of water, enabling irrigation for 18,233 new acres in Mohmand and Charsadda while supplementing supplies to 160,000 existing acres. Critically, it will also provide vital flood protection to Peshawar, Charsadda, and Nowshera.
Furthermore, the dam’s 800 MW powerhouse will inject 2.86 billion units of clean, green, and affordable electricity into the national grid annually. An additional 300 million gallons per day of water supply for Peshawar is also a key benefit. The successful start of main dam construction signals tangible progress towards these transformative national goals.
