WAPDA grilled over failure to complete major hydel projects

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Sub-Committee on Economic Affairs grilled the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) over its failure to complete major hydel projects on time and sought details of the financial burden caused by these delays. The sub-committee meeting held under the convenorship of Senator Waqar Mehdi comprehensively reviewed work progress on the major hydel projects. While briefing on work progress of Dasu Dam, Member Finance Naveed Asghar Choudhry apprised the committee that the World Bank provided a loan of USD 517 million for this project and its completion deadline was 2027, but so far only31 percent of the physical work of the dam has been done, and it is unlikely to meet the deadline. He said that the delay in land acquisition, the Covid-19 pandemic, security-related incidents, floods, resettlement and possession issues, and design changes are the major factors behind this delay. Convenor Waqar Mehdi said that when the agreement was signed, the value of the dollar was PKR 100-120, which has now reached PKR 279-280. He said why WAPDA did not do the planning before signing the agreement. He said that WAPDA should’ve initiated the land acquisition before signing the agreement. On the work progress of Mohmand Dam Hydropower project, Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower project, T5HP, Harpo HPP WAPDA Sakardu, Mangla Refurbishment Project, Warsak HEPS 2nd Rehab Project, DargaiHeps Rehabilitation Project and Chitral Capacity enhancement project, the same kind of reasoning was provided by the WAPDA official. While briefing on the Warsak Hydroelectric Power Station (HEPS) 2nd Rehabilitation Project, officials stated that the project was delayed due to design and security-related issues, although its completion was expected in 2022. The Committee Convener asked why no action or penalty was taken against consultants who repeatedly changed the design, because these changes resulted in heavy financial losses to the national exchequer. Senator Rubina Khalid inquired why, unlike other projects in Tarbella 5th Extension, WAPDA did not require land acquisition, but still it was delayed, and its cost substantially increased. The WAPDA official said that in the Tarbella 5th Extension project, IRSA took 15 months to issue the No Objection Certificate. On this occasion, the Committee Convener directed that officials from IRSA be summoned in the next meeting to brief on the reasons for delay in the NOC. Rubina Khalid said the delays in so many projects are astonishing, and it seems that in all these projects there is no check and balance and the government is least bothered about the escalating cost which eventually has to be borne by the taxpayers of this country. She said that at a time when the economy is in a debt trap, and the life of the common man has become miserable, these kinds of financial irregularities are totally unacceptable. The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) stated that of its six projects, four are complete, one is delayed, and one project is under construction with completion expected by 2030. The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) stated that PKR 2 billion has been allocated for one project, but progress is being affected due to non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance. The Hyderabad Electric Supply Company stated that its only project is 32 percent complete and will be completed by 2027. The National Grid Company (NGC) briefed that it has 23 ongoing projects, of which three schemes are facing delays. The committee was also briefed on 22 foreign-funded projects underway in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with assistance from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), and IFAD. The committee stressed timely utilization of funds, effective implementation, and completion of projects within the stipulated time. The Water Resources Division briefed on the progress of Sukkur and Guddu Barrage projects, stating that rehabilitation and upgradation of Sukkur Barrage, rehabilitation of Guddu Barrage, and other projects are ongoing, while projects such as desilting of Rice Canal, river training works at Guddu Barrage, and model study of Sukkur Barrage have been completed. The committee directed timely completion and effective monitoring of remaining projects. The National Highway Authority stated that work is ongoing on Rohri–Ranipur, Ranipur–Moro, and Hala–Moro roads, with the Hala–Moro project expected to be completed by September this year. The Committee Convener directed the relevant authorities to expedite work on the projects and install safety fencing on Nadir Bypass to ensure public safety. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

Read full story on Business Recorder