PAC grills Irrigation Dept over RBOD-II delay

Rs40b spent, yet RBOD-II remains incomplete after two decades

KARACHI:

The Sindh Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has expressed serious concern over the non-completion of the 273-kilometre-long RBOD-II project, despite Rs40 billion already being spent.

During a meeting chaired by Nisar Khuhro on Monday, the Irrigation Department admitted that work on the Rs61.985 billion project has remained stalled since 2015, even though Rs44 billion were released by the federal government between 2001 and 2017, out of which Rs40 billion have already been utilised. The department confirmed that Rs3.5 billion in funds are still available but work has not resumed due to the cancellation of the work order in 2022, removal of the consultant, and inquiries by NAB and Anti-Corruption.

WAPDA officials distanced themselves from the project, clarifying that their responsibility was limited to RBOD-I and RBOD-III, which they have already completed. They stressed that RBOD-II was directly funded by the federal Ministry of Water Resources to Sindh's Irrigation Department.

PAC members expressed anger over the long delay and termed it negligence by the department. Chairman Nisar Khuhro directed the Sindh Chief Secretary to ensure the Steering Committee approves the appointment of a new consultant so that work could resume.

He warned that further delay would only escalate costs, calling RBOD-II a crucial project for Sindh.

The committee also instructed the Irrigation Department to install a treatment plant before the zero point to protect Manchar Lake from toxic water. Officials were reminded that despite funds being available, work had not progressed, which was unacceptable.

In previous sessions, NAB had clarified that land acquisition records for the project had been handed over to the deputy commissioners of Thatta and Jamshoro, and there was no bar on construction. Today's meeting also dismissed earlier objections from the Irrigation Secretary who had questioned the project's feasibility. The PAC reiterated that RBOD-II was a vital project for Sindh and directed that construction must be resumed without further delay.