Dam Fool
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 8:42:54 by Ali Raza
Dam Fool
Finally after years of delay Pakistan People’s Party was able to laid the foundation of the much awaited power project Diamar Bhasha Dam. This was not the first time when Diamar Bhasha Dam received an opening ceremony, as earlier former President of Pakistan (Rtd.) General Pervez Musharaf laid the stone in the last year of his regime.
The former President also allocated funds for the mega project, but unfortunately the PPP’s government that took the charge after him put the projects to rest as a result of that four valuable years were wasted.
This is a multi-billion dollars project which should have to be on the top of the priority list of the government. Although PPP had finally laid the stone, but this has cost Pakistani nation a lot as plenty of funds spent on this project by the previous government were wasted and now the cost of the project has also doubled.
Added salt to the injury of this nation is the completion time, as being a mega project Diamar Bhasha dam requires almost a decade to get into working condition. So it will be a challenge for the PPP government to pursue the project so no further time will be wasted, as with each passing day load shedding crisis is getting more worse.
Another challenge for PPP would be the construction of the road that will lead to the spot wgere the administration aims to build the dam, besides acquiring land and arranging funds for Diamar Bhasha. Construction of this road is a tough task because the country will again face the similar kind of difficulties or even more that it had witnessed while building Karakoram high-way.
Apart from these engineering challenges, the most doubtful part is keeping the commitment. Although the Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Yousaf Raza Gilani called it the life line for the country’s economy, but when it comes to fulfilling the commitments PPP don’t hold a good repute. As two years ago, Prime Minister had laid the foundation of the new Balakot City and made exciting speech that his government had gathered funds to relocate the residents of old Balakot.
However, after two years New Balakot city is still a dream and not even a single home got started till this date. Additionally there isn’t much time left in the next elections, 2013 will be the year of elections.
So it remains to be seen whether this project will see light or will be put to rest once again and make this nation ‘Dam Fool’ once more.
Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=764
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