Senate panel voices alarm over delays in Wapda projects

ISLAMABAD: A sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has raised concern over persistent delays in Wapda’s hydropower projects, directing officials to identify those responsible and provide a breakdown of the financial losses caused by cost overruns.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, included Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan, Senator Rubina Khalid and senior officials from federal and provincial departments. The panel reviewed the pace of work, the reasons for delays, rising project costs and the use of funds in Wapda’s ongoing schemes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. Projects in Punjab and Balochistan had already been taken up in an earlier meeting.

Officials from the Ministry of Water Resources and Wapda told the committee that the projects were being financed through the World Bank, foreign and local commercial loans, and Wapda’s own equity. They said the delays stemmed from several factors, including land acquisition problems between 2015 and 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-21, security incidents from 2022 to 2024 and multiple design changes made later.

Senator Mehdi expressed strong concern over the prolonged slowdown, saying the project had remained stalled for five years despite repeated letters to the provincial government. He said the delay had sharply increased costs and placed a heavy burden on the national exchequer. “Twelve years have passed since the project was launched, but its completion date is still not clear,” he said.

Officials said about 54 per cent of work on Mohmand Dam had been completed. According to their briefing, delays in land acquisition and design changes aimed at improving dam safety had pushed the expected completion date to June 2028.

The convener questioned why the design had been altered repeatedly despite the involvement of consultants. He said such changes not only slow down major infrastructure schemes but also add to the financial pressure on public resources.

The report is based on a monitored public feed and is attributed to Dawn Pakistan. The committee has asked for further details on the burden created by the delays as it continues its review of Wapda’s projects.

Source: Dawn Pakistan - https://www.dawn.com/news/2017435/senate-panel-voices-alarm-over-delays-in-wapda-projects