900MW projects in Punjab delayed due to corruption, says Shahbaz

Those responsible for negligence and corruption in 900MW power projects in Punjab should be taken to task, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif said. Talking to journalists after a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Saturday, Shahbaz said the 450 MW each Nandipur and Chichon ki Malian power projects had been delayed with malicious intent and had cost the national exchequer Rs 20 billion more than the allocated sum. He said the prime minister should take action against those responsible.
Delayed power projects: He said the 450MW Nandipur power project was scheduled to be completed a year ago, but the plants machinery, worth billions of rupees, was lying in godowns in Karachi and the government was paying heavy demurrage on it. He said the project, being executed by a Chinese company, should have become operational early this year but its file had remained pending in the Ministry of Law in Islamabad for the last two years. He said the letter of approval was not issued by the Finance Ministry because officials wanted bribes. He said the 450MW Chicho Ki Malian power project had suffered the same fate. The project was due to be completed next year, however, now it suffered a two year delay.
Law department the hurdle: He said that the projects were delayed due to law department hurdles, adding that the timely completion of the two projects would have brought substantial relief from load-shedding. Shahbaz labeled the delays ‘economic murder’ and said the losses made by both the industrial and agricultural sectors was irreparable. He said he had asked the PM to tend to the projects and the breakthrough had come in Saturday’s CCI meeting when the two projects received approvals.
Flyovers approved: A flyover would be constructed at Rawal Road Chowk and Chandni Chowk near Benazir Bhutto Hospital on Murree Road Rawalpindi at a cost of Rs .83 crore while an underpass would be built at Rs. 52 crore from Chuhar Chowk Peshawar Road Rawalpindi. Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif will lay the foundation stone of both projects next month. In the second phase, a flyover would be constructed at Sixth Road Chowk Murree Road. Under this project, the upgrade of Murree Road from Naz Cinema to Fifth Road Chowk would be made.
This decision was taken during a special briefing meeting presided over by Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif held regarding projects being executed under Mega Projects Implementation and City Package in districts of Rawalpindi division, at Punjab House Islamabad. Shahbaz dictated that the Chandni Chowk Murree Road flyover be created in 3.5 months while the Chuhar Chowk Peshawar Road underpass on be completed within three months. He directed that environmental concerns be factored in. Shahbaz said the flyover and underpass were to meet the next 20 years traffic needs on both roads.