Summary Chairman WAPDA says government collected Rs 24.96 billion in the name of Neelum-Jhelum surcharge.
ISLAMABAD: WAPDA Chairman Raghib Shah has said that about 24.96 billion had been collected in the name of Neelum-Jhelum surcharge but nobody is ready to provide funds for Diamer Bhasha Dam and Skardu hydel projects.
The session of Senate’s standing committee for water and power was held in Islamabad headed by Chairman Zahid Khan.
Special Secretary Hamayatullah Khan told the committee that about Rs 24 billions were needed for Neelum-Jhelum project till June.
He said that Rs 11 billion were required for payments for the tunnel boring machine and the contractor. Dialogue in this connection are underway on the directions of Prime Minister with the Finance Ministry.
He claerly said that nobody was ready to fund the hydel power projects in Bhasha and Skardu dams.
He proposed that the assets of WAPDA might be mortgaged for funding the hydel power projects.
WAPDA Chairman Raghab Shah also told the committee that India was the greatest hurdle in the way of insurance of tunnel boring machine; however, international companies have given assurance in this reagrd.
He said that Kajbun Hydel Power Project of 22 MW would start production soon.
The committee was also told that acquiring of land for the construction of Karam Tungi Dam is under process, which is likely to produce about 84 MWs of electricity.
“The US has assured of provision of funds for the construction of aforesaid projects”, said the chairman.
Chairman WAPDA said that Planning Commission had released the second installment of Rs 80 million for the construction of Karam Tungi Dam.
