Water and power projects: Major chunk of money allocated for upgrading power network

Most electricity projects overshot their allocations.

ISLAMABAD:

The government has allocated Rs5.1 billion for water and power projects in the the twin cities in the fiscal year 2012-2013, according to the federal budget presented before Parliament on Friday.

A sum of Rs200 million has been allocated for upgrading the National Power Control Centre, a central body for monitoring the electricity supply in H-8, while the total cost of the project was Rs2.9 billion. Furthermore, a sum of Rs1.8 billion was allocated to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) for secondary transmission and grids. While the cost of this project was estimated at Rs5.7 billion, around Rs9 billion had already been used up for the purpose by June.

An amount of Rs500 million has been allocated for improving distribution of power and upgrading IESCO’s system, while the total cost of this project is  Rs3.4 billion.

To enhance power distribution, Rs400 million have been allocated for phase-1 of the project which expected to cost Rs2.7 billion upon completion. However, Rs938 million have already been used up for it (expenditure up to June).

Similarly, Rs400 million have been allocated for the distribution, rehabilitation, renovation and augmentation of the electricity network in the capital. Estimated total cost of the project was estimated at Rs1.5 billion.

Moreover, an amount of Rs75 million was allocated in the new fiscal budget for the electricity distribution and transmission improvement project and incorporation of energy efficiency component in the twin cities. The project is expected to cost Rs186 million upon completion.

New Dams

An amount of Rs50 million has been allocated for the construction of Mujahid Dam, Rawalpindi, which is to be constructed at a cost of Rs512.183 million. Meanwhile, an amount of Rs50 million has been allocated for the construction of Mohra Shera Dam, Rawalpindi, which will require Rs552.75 million to complete. Moreover, Ghabir Dam, Chakwal, has been allocated Rs500 million, while the project will cost Rs2.1 billion.

A sum of Rs605 million has been earmarked for including a second source of supply for 220 kilovolts for Islamabad University Substation.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2012.