PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan has ordered the early start of work on the first phase of the multi-purpose Kurram Tangi dam inNorth Waziristan Agency, saying the project will help ease energy crisis in Fata.

The governor issued the orders during a meeting where Wapda chairman Zafar M e h m o o d briefed him on the pace of progress on Kurram Tangi dam project, said a hand-out issued here on Tuesday.

Officials of the Frontier Works Organisation, a subsidiary of the army, also attended the meeting.

The governor directed the relevant officials to release the project`s tender documents by the middle of January, 2015 and address difficulties related to land acquisition by January 31.

He said the early completion of Kurram Tangi dam would increase economic activities in Fata besides creating job opportunities and overcoming energy crises.

Sardar Mahtab said energy and water projects were vital for socioeconomic development of the country, especially the far-flung and deprived regions like Fata.

He said the dam would affect 0.35 million acres of land in Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts and the adjoining tribal belt, and generate 83 megawatts electricity.

The governor said the project, which was expected to cost Rs59 billion, would be carriedout on the Kurram and Kaitu rivers within four years.

The relevant officials told the governor that the proposed dam`s storage capacity would be 1.20 million acre feet, while its command area would be over 362,380 acres, including 10,940 acres for water reservoir.

They said the proposed dam would be 322 feet high.

The officials said local tribesmen had agreed to offer 973 kanals of land for the construction of Thal Canal.

The Wapda chairman informed the governor about the progress of work on Munda dam in Mohmand Agency and issues relating to the Wapda projects being executed in the tribal region.

The governor said early completion of the multipurpose, large and medium-sized dams in Fata, including Kurram Tangi and Munda dams, would ensure availability of water for irrigation, generating electricity and mitigate devastating floods.