TEHRAN – The head of Iran’s Planning and Budget Organization (PBO) said the government is pressing ahead with major water and infrastructure projects, including the construction of 88 dams and development of the Makran coast along the country’s southern shores.

Seyed Hamid Pourmohammadi, speaking in a state television program marking Government Week, outlined plans in water supply, healthcare, education, transport, and southern coastal development.

As IRNA reported, he cited climate change, declining rainfall, and shrinking per capita water resources as the country’s most pressing challenge, saying water should be treated as an economic commodity.

According to Pourmohammadi, the dams under construction will regulate about 7.5 billion cubic meters of water annually and are backed by funding worth 1.4 quadrillion rials ($2.8 billion).

He added that 124 water supply projects are also underway, with a combined capacity of 6.5 billion cubic meters per year to provide drinking water for cities and villages over the next 25 years. The projects are allocated 2.4 quadrillion rials ($4.8 billion) under the budget law.

EF/MA