Urgent release of funds sought for Kurram Tangi Dam

The sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Water and Power expressed annoyance over non-release of funds for construction of Kurram Tangi Dam, directing the finance division to release funds at the earliest.
The committee also issued directives to Ministries of Finance, Water and Power, Planning Commission and WAPDA to submit a comprehensive report by Jan 31 on progress on the project.

The Senate body showed its resentment over the absence of Chairman WAPDA Shakeel Durrani, issuing a show cause notice to him.

Committee’s convener, Senator Zahid Khan, observed that in case of any further negligence and delay over Kurram Tangi dam, strict action would be taken against the responsible.

During the meeting officials of Water and Power and Finance Division putt the responsibility of delay on each other. Officials of Water and Power and WAPDA said that Finance Division did not disburse funds to them while finance department said that WAPDA has not requested for funds for the construction of the dam.

Officials of the WAPDA told the committee that department needs Rs 340 million for mobilization of work and land accusation for the Kurram Tangi dam while after disbursement of funds they would be able for
bidding in March this year.

Officials of WAPDA said that estimated cost for the project is Rs 59 billion while only Rs 100 million has been allocated in this year PSDP. “Not a single rupee is released from this 100 million,” they informed adding that the construction of dam cannot be completed even in 100 years with this ratio of fund releasing.

The committee was surprised to know that only Rs200 million had been released during last seven years for the project. The committee observed that the construction of dam would never been completed if
work continued with same pace.

WAPDA officials informed the senators that original cost of the project was Rs 17 billion but it is increased now up to 59 billion due to inflation and delay.

During the meeting Chief Executive PEPCO informed the committee that company has installed 20 power transformers in different grid stations while other 25 would be installed in near future.

He said that after one and a half years no grid station would be overloaded. He said that accusation of land is major hindrance in construction of Munda dam.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jan 20 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.