Neelum-Jhelum project’s timely completion unlikely

ISLAMABAD – The slow pace of work on the Neelam-Jhelum hydro-power project has exposed the Pakistani authorities’ lack of commitment to complete it by June, 2010 – the deadline set by the Ministry for Water and Power in the Power Policy 2002. The project had started in 2008, but only 16 percent to 17 percent of the work has been done, as work on head race tunnel has not been started so far.
“On the other hand, India has completed 15 percent of the tunnel of Kishanganga Hydro-power Project which is comparatively a difficult site,” said an official, requesting anonymity. The project will generate 1,123.76 MU of energy in a 90 percent dependable year. The construction work on the Uri-II hydroelectric project in Kashmir ‘s Uri town has reached its final stage, with construction set for completion in March 2011.
Arshad H Abbasi, a water expert, said, “The completion of Uri-II HE Project would help India at international forums to justify execution of Kishanganga Hydro-power Project.” He said capital cost required for development of hydropower projects in Pakistanis was normally $1.2 million to $1.5 million per megawatt.
“This cost is comparatively less than per megawatt cost that India is spendingon its projects. Both these projects have not been completed and the cost of per megawatt to be produced there is $3.23 million and $5.3 million, respectively,” he said.
Neelam-Jhelum Hydroelectric Project is located near Muzaffarabad, and aims to dig a tunnel and divert water of Neelam River from Nauseri, about 41kms east of Muzaffarabad. Once completed, the Neelam-Jhelum Hydroelectric Project will produce 969MW of electricity annually at a cost of $2.16 billion.