One of the justifications for the Kalabagh Dam project is its potential to produce 2400 MW of electric power. In this respect it is pertinent to note that almost all the hydel projects so far implemented, with total capacity of about 5000 MW, are high storage dams. In addition to these projects, 25 more hydel projects have been identified by WAPDA for future implementation, with a total potential of 23,500 MW. Out of these 22 projects with potential of about 15,000 MW are of run of the river type, requiring little or no storage. Recently one of these projects (Ghazi Barotha) has already been launched with the capacity of 1425 MW. It is therefore, necessary to implement similar promising run of the river non- controversial projects like Dasu, Bunji, Thakot etc. which have already been identified after feasibility studies carried out in early 80's through Montreal Engineering Company (MECO) under the sponsorship of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Infact WAPDA had already prepared a PC-II proforma for updating the feasibility of these projects in 1991, which should have been approved and the studies completed by now. It may be stated that one of these run of river projects (Dasu) has power potential and hydrology quite comparable with Kalabagh Dam. It will also increase the life of Tarbella for another 20 years. Moreover, it has practically uniform flow during winter and interestingly it starts rising from February onwards. Projects like this should have been initiated long back instead of keeping them dormant for so may years just to give an impression that Kalabagh Dam is the only project ready for implementation.
One of the reasons being advanced by WAPDA for delaying the implementation of these run of the river projects is that they are costlier than the multipurpose projects of high storage dams. This excuse is hardly tenable because if a storage dam project is not feasible, you can not withhold all other hydel projects. Moreover these run of the river projects in any case are cheaper than thermal generation, and out of the identified hydel projects, the majority is that of non controversial run of the river projects. Also the run of the river projects have a distinct advantage over storage dams, because there is no restriction on the utilization of available water in these projects, whereas in the case of storage dams, the releases are dictated by demands of irrigation down stream.
Another reason for delaying the implementation of run of the river projects is that WAPDA has un-necessarily linked these projects with construction of future high dams so that the advantage of controlled regulation can be available. However, such an advantage can only be very marginal, and should not be made a reason for pushing back the promising run of the river hydel projects. To quote an example, it is claimed that after construction of Kalabagh Dam the generating capability of Tarbella will also improve by regulatory effect. However, in quantitative terms, the increase in generating capacity of Tarbella after Kalabagh Dam as worked out by WAPDA consultants is 336 GWH, as against its basic generation capacity of 1579 GWH, showing an increase of just 2.15%. Thus linkage of run of the river projects with future storage dams on this account is not at all justified. Under the circumstances, the work on two more run of the river projects, Dasu and Bunji must be started in the 9th five year plan period.