Tarbela-V project faces setback

The flooding at the under-construction Tarbela 5 Powerhouse, with a planned generation capacity of 1,530 megawatts, has become a matter of serious concern.

Federal Minister for Water Resources, Mian Muhammad Moeen Wattoo, undertook an emergency visit to the powerhouse and adjoining site area, followed by a meeting convened at Tarbela Guest House-I.

Informed sources told the Express Tribune that the Tarbela 5 administration had been directed to submit a detailed report on the incident. This report will shortly be presented to the federal government, after which responsibility for the failure will be established.

The crisis was triggered by the breach of the cofferdam — a temporary protective structure — leading to the inundation of both the powerhouse and its site area. The Federal Minister personally inspected the affected site and reviewed the extent of the damage.

Later in the evening, a high-level meeting was held at Tarbela Guest House-I, which was attended by Member (Water) Syed Akhtar Shah, General Manager Tarbela 5 Project and Project Director Umair Manan, General Manager Tarbela Dam Anwar Shah, senior representatives of the Pak-China Company, and project consultants.

During the briefing, the minister was apprised of the circumstances surrounding the cofferdam's collapse and the resulting flooding. He instructed that a comprehensive inquiry report, clearly identifying the causes of the breach, be submitted without delay.

Sources noted that the flooding has significantly impacted progress on the Tarbela 5 project, which is designed to generate 1,530 megawatts of electricity. The minister underscored the urgency of receiving the report to ensure swift remedial action.

Local observers have raised pressing questions regarding accountability — whether the responsibility lies with the construction company, the consultants, or the Tarbela 5 engineering team. Ultimately, accountability will rest with the authority that approved the construction. However, it has been observed that the consultants and engineering staff appeared to have little influence over the foreign construction company. Had they exercised stronger oversight, it is argued, the cofferdam might not have failed, nor would the powerhouse and site area have been submerged.