Senate panel resents delay in Khisar dam project

Irrigation officials say lack of funds hampering project’s progress

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources on Tuesday expressed resentment over delay in completion of the Khisar dam in Nushki district of Balochistan despite a passage of four years and summoned the additional chief secretary of the province.

The committee’s meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Shamim Afridi at the Parliament Lodges.

Giving a briefing on the Khisar dam project, Balochistan Irrigation Department officials said the dam is part of the 100-dam project of the province. “The dam was supposed to be completed by June 2019 but due to a lack of funds the work will now be done by June 30, 2020. About 67% work has been completed, spillway cutting is under way and there is a 39% financial progress on the project.”

According to the officials, Rs444 million was approved for PC-I of the project.

Senator Yousuf Badeni said the project was supposed to be completed by June 2019 but it has not yet been completed despite a delay of eight months. “There is only one dozer working there and that too is out of order for most days of the month.

The committee summoned the finance ministry officials in the next meeting over the issue of lack of funds.

The Wapda official informed the meeting that the Bhimber dam would make 12,000 acres of land fertile. “The Azad Kashmir government has said that it lacks funds for the project,” he added.

The committee directed that half of the cost of the project would be borne by the Azad Kashmir government and the remaining by the federal government.

The committee also directed to formulate PC-II of the project and asked the Azad Kashmir government to participate in it.

The committee also summoned Azad Kashmir chief secretary in the next meeting.