The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow progress of the 300 MW Balakot Hydropower Project in Mansehra and the 69 MW Lawi Hydropower Project in Chitral. A notice will be issued to contractors for both projects warning them to speed up construction or face further action.
In a special meeting chaired by the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Energy Affairs, Eng. Tariq Sadozai and Energy and Electricity Minister Muhammad Zubair Khan stressed the need to complete the projects. Contractors were directed to take immediate action to resume suspended construction work and avoid further delays.
During the briefing, it was highlighted that the projects are being financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Once operational, these projects are expected to generate an annual revenue of Rs. 15 billion for the governorate.
Delays in design and electromechanical (E&M) works by Chinese contractor Gazopa China and Turkish consultant Dolsar have drawn sharp criticism from Energy Minister Muhammad Zubair Khan. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of the two teams and called for immediate action to address the delay.
SACM Tariq Saduzai also urged the contractor, consultant and project managers to accelerate progress on the dam site and ordered the resumption of construction at the stalled sites.
Later, the Energy Minister rebuked project managers over slow progress on the Laoi hydropower project and issued a stern warning, stating that further delays in power projects would not be tolerated.