Persian Gulf water transfer spurs industrial growth in central Iran: MP
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
A member of the Industries and Mines Committee of the Iranian Parliament said the completion of water transfer project from the Persian Gulf to central Iran will transform the region and establish a chain of industries in Yazd Province.
Mustafa Pourdehqan told Iran Daily that the first phase of the water transfer project from the Persian Gulf to Yazd, Kerman, and Isfahan has been completed, adding that currently, desalinated water from the Persian Gulf is being pumped to Ardakan in Yazd Province and made available for industrial use.
He stated that since the main investor in the water supply project is the Ardakan Industrial and Mineral Company, it is expected for the water to be allocated to this company.
The lawmaker noted that if the government decides to use this project’s water for drinking purposes, it should purchase it from the company.
“Currently, the amount of desalinated water from the first phase of the Persian Gulf water transfer project stands at about 700 liters per second, with the potential to increase to 1,200 liters per second,” the MP stated, adding that he is making efforts to allocate 400 liters per second of the figure for Ardakan to meet the drinking needs of its residents.
Pourdehqan added that various phases of the first line of the project are currently underway, as the second line of the project is expected to be initiated soon.
He went on to say that since existing water resources in Yazd do not meet its demands, a branch of water from the second phase of the Persian Gulf transfer project is expected to be allocated to Yazd, which will contribute to social and economic development in the region.
According to Pourdehqan, all necessary development infrastructure, including water, electricity, gas, and transportation lines, is established in central Iran’s desert regions, particularly in Yazd.
He pointed out that the main challenge is securing the required water supply, saying, “If industrial water needs are met, Yazd and the surrounding arid provinces, which have rich mineral resources, could support a chain of mineral industries, thus creating suitable opportunities for employment and income generation.”
Pourdehqan highlighted the role of water in migration, noting that as a result of industrial development in Ardakan, which heavily relies on water, the city has experienced significant population influx in recent years, as the city has attracted migrants from 200 cities across the country, culminating in the doubling of the city’s population.