ISLAMABAD: The prolonged suspension of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project is costing the federal government Rs 42 billion per year, Federal Minister for Water Resources Moin Wattoo told the National Assembly on Monday.
A written response submitted to the National Assembly stated that the project has been non- operational since May 2024, causing a significant problem in the hardrace tunnel.
A bottleneck 9.8 kilometres from the dam site has caused a full halt to activities, and negotiations with the original contractor are presently continuing to find a viable strategy to restart the project, which has been interrupted several times since its inception. the minister added.
To get to the root of the technological breakdowns, the federal government established three different investigating panels. In addition, the expertise of Canadian engineering consultant firm Dan Baraks was retained to perform an independent investigation.
The Canadian firm concluded its inquiry and filed a report on March 18, but the results are still being reviewed by the government, said the minister.
The Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, long celebrated as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s energy future, has now become a cautionary story of mismanagement and systemic supervision, with billions of rupees drained from public coffers.
