PM expressed concern over delay in the power production projects and directed to expedite the work.
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday expressing concern over delay in the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, directed the Ministry of Water and Power and WAPDA to work out financial plan in consultation with Finance Ministry to expedite the project.Chairing a high-level meeting to review progress on mega power projects, the Prime Minister issued directive to remove bottlenecks in the country’s mega hydel power projects and asked the energy committee headed by the Finance Minister to meet fortnightly. The Prime Minister also asked the Energy Committee to prepare a two-year work plan for the power projects.He observed that mismanagement must be checked to improve the efficiency of these projects as they were the lifeline of national economy.He added that it was the strong resolve of the government to complete the projects already in pipeline so that their benefits could start reaching the people as soon as possible. He said keeping in view the escalating cost of thermal power projects, the only viable way is to start hydel power projects that would provide relief to the public at large.The Prime Minister directed that Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs be included in the energy committee in order to increase the level of coordination for the hydel projects in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.