Iran will start next year the construction of ten new dams, Iranian deputy energy minister for water services, Rasoul Zargar, was quoted as saying by Iran’s News Agency (IRNA).
He told the agency that feasibility studies have been completed and necessary funds have been determined in the budget proposed for next year.
“Ostour, Molla Sadra, Golestan 2, Damghan and Chaparabad dams are some of the 10 dams set for construction anytime soon, he said.
"The ten dams were being considered for construction by the budget bills proposed over the past eight years, but their construction work has never been started," Zargar added.
Due to the rising population, more water was needed for the agricultural and industrial sectors during 1989-96.
Accordingly, the Iranian government paid particular attention to dam construction and made substantial investments in this sector, said an online study by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
At present, there are 49 dams under construction and 70 others are undergoing pre-construction studies.
Thirteen dams were completed in 1997, said the study.
Some of the notable dams are Karkheh Dam with 5.5 billion cubic meters, Maroun Dam with 1.2 billion cubic meters and Tajan Dam with 0.5 billion cubic meters – Albawaba.com
