To resolve the longstanding water problem in the southern district of Tank, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has decided to set up solar-powered tube wells in the area.
Several villages in Tank lack portable water and villagers rely on rain-fed ponds, causing water-borne diseases such as hepatitis, cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, etc. In many areas of the district, people and animals drink water from the same rain-fed ponds.
However, the provincial government has come up with an idea to resolve the longstanding water issue of Tank with photovoltaic technology.
Engineer Muhammad Suhail said that the solar tube wells are the easiest way to permanently resolve the drinking water issue in Tank. “Solar tube wells powered by Chinese technology is a success story in Pakistan, and the same technology will be used in this project,” he added.
“Twenty-eight solar-powered drinking water tube wells have been approved for the district,” said Faisal Amin Khan, Minister for Local Government, Elections and Rural Development Department. He said that tenders have been issued and work will start shortly.
According to Mr. Khan, another 25 more tube wells are in pipeline under Chief Minister’s special package for city and villages in Tank, adding “These will resolve the longstanding water issue”.
According to Mr. Suhail, solar energy is one of the cheapest and most viable solutions for the energy crisis in Pakistan.
Under Annual Development Programme 2022-23, the Government of KP has allocated Rs 150 million for the construction of water supply sanitation schemes, and solar electrification of solar tube wells in Tank.
Solar is one of the key business areas in KP province. The government solar projects in the public sector include the electrification of 4,000 masjids and the solarisation of 8,000 schools and basic health units in the province. Besides, the government has approved five feasibility studies of a total of 249.5 MW solar projects in the private sector.
