HEAD MARALA: A SMALL DAM

Situated on the Chenab River in Sialkot city in the Punjab province Marala Headworks is a headwork. It was initially built in 1906 to meet the needs of the Upper Chenab Canal but a new Marala Barrage was established in 1968 to meet the needs of Marala Ravi Link Canal along with the Upper Chenab Canal.

Marala Headworks is a substantial hydro-engineering project. Marala Headworks is used to control the flow of water and control the flood in the Chenab River. Besides, Marala Headworks is a picnic spot and a wildlife preserve. People from around the city come to visit this beautiful place because of the refreshing view and mesmerizing landscape.

After the completion of the hydropower project, it will be able to generate 7.64 megawatts of electricity. The estimated cost of this dam is 3049.74 Million Pakistani Rupees. The water above the sea level at Head Marala is 820 feet. The dam has a discharge capacity of up to 1.1 million cusecs.

The development work of the project is blooming and it is assumed that the construction of the powerhouse would be completed this year. The project is under the supervision of Chinese experts from SINOTEC firm. The dam would be very beneficial for the existing power crisis. River Chenab has recently faced a very high flood level at Marala Headworks. Presently the water flow here is 4 lacs 72 thousand cusecs. Recently locals of this place were transferred to another location because of a flood warning generated by the District Administration. Some of the hotels near Marala Headworks are Hotel Denver, Hotel the Jeevens, Hotel Javson, and Kohinoor Hotel. The charges of Hotel Javson for a day and night is 80 US Dollars.