Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power project closure resulting in huge loses, parliamentary body told

Islamabad: Chinese company executed Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power project is closed and billions of rupees loss is being incurred due to closer of the project, a parliamentary body was told.

Standing Committee on Water Resources of the National Assembly met here to discuiss the matter. The meeting was presided over by honourable Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur.

The chair directed that the names of all Project Directors of Neelum-Jhelum should be provided to the Standing Committee and Government should give research budget to Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources.

The Committee was informed that the Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project is closed and billions of rupees loss is being incurred due to closer of the project. The Standing Committee was informed that the drainage tunnel between the power house and the river Jhelum was collapsed so the Hydro Power Project was closed.

The Standing Committee was informed that Rs. 2.69 billion would be the cost on opening of the blockage of the tunnel. Thereafter, the estimate for repair work will be carried out. Similarly, some consultants have been hired who would guide the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) regarding repair of the tunnel.

The consultants shall also inform about the reasons of the incident. The cost on the consultancy service will be Rs. 415 million.

The Standing Committee directed that clearly the responsibility should be fixed on the people who made the drawing of the tunnel or the people who constructed the tunnel. Moreover, the Standing Committee directed to give names of all of the project directors of Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project.

The Standing Committee was informed by the WAPDA authorities that the project was made according to PC-I. But the Standing Committee did not accept the statement and declared that the project was started during the era of then President Pervaiz Musharaf. Whereas, according to the statement of WAPDA the project was constructed according to the approved PC-I 2017.

So, it should be revised PC-I and the WAPDA is apparently hiding the facts. The Standing Committee directed that an inquiry be initiated and the responsible of the blockage should be penalized accordingly. The Standing Committee was informed that PC-IV could not be finalized till today. The Standing Committee showed its serious displeasure because the project was completed in 2018 and the PC-IV should have been completed in 2018. But after a lapse of four years the PC-IV could not be finalized. So, the WAPDA should hold an assessment and inform the Standing Committee regarding the delays in the preparation of PC-IV.

The Standing Committee was informed that Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) is a research organization. It has budget of 500 million rupees. But it has no budget for research. So, the Standing Committee directed that the government should provide sufficient budget for research to PCRWR in next financial year. Moreover, the Standing Committee directed that all of the research of PCRWR should be made available for general formers in Urdu and local languages.

The meeting of the Standing Committee on Water Resources was presided over by Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, and attended by the Members of National Assembly; Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Nuzhat Pathan, Afreen Khan, Syed Hussain Tariq, Shagufta Jumani, Mover and Mr. Kesoo Mal Kheeal Das.