ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister for Planning and Ahsan Iqbal presided a meeting to review the progress and challenges of two major national projects including the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHPP) and the Diammer Bhasha Dam.
The meeting discussed the latest situation of the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project which has capacity to produce 969 MW cheaper electricity. The project produces cheaper electricity which is very import to cater the energy requirement of the country.
It has produced over 20,030 million units of electricity since its inception in 2018. However, due to structural problems in the project’s Head Race Tunnel (HRT), the project was temporary gone off.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed an international panel of experts to identify the causes and suggest solutions. The experts gave suggestions to remove the blockages and structural damages inside the tunnels. Minister Ahsan directed to spped up the repairing work of the Neelum Jehlum Project.
The Minister also asked to the authorities to envisage a comprehensive plan which should be based on scientific studies so that it could be able to justify the costs spent on the project. He emphasized for remedial measures and a sustainable solution for ensuring long-term stability and value for the investment on the project.
The meeting was told about the pertaining issue related to land acquiring of the Diammer Bhasha Dam. Ahsan Iqbal directed to the relevant authorities to immediate resolve the land-related issues of the Diammer Bhasha Dam.
He said that around 18,000 acres land was a government property. The government has already paid total amount to the owners of remaining land. The Minister directed to the relevant authorities that the remaining land must be transferred to WAPDA to initiate the work on the mega project.
He directed to the Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan to submit a compliance report within a month regarding the official transfer of this land.
While highlighting the importance of these projects, the Minister said these projects will significantly increase the capacity of the Pakistan’s water and energy resources. He made it clear that the Federal Governement will remove any obstacles in these projects in the best interest of the country.