The Neelum Jhelum hydropower project is progressing at a very high pace, and is 4% ahead of schedule despite lack of funds and power, according to a statement issued by the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), which denies the impression that the expensive equipment is going to waste.
The two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have been fully assembled and deployed at the project site, however, they have not yet been put into operation due to lack of funds and alternate power arrangements.
The spokesperson of Wapda said that though, the contractor was in need of money and pressing hard for payment of its certified amounts, construction work on the project is continuing. “Despite these irritants, the project is progressing at a very high pace, 4% ahead of schedule.”
The arrival of TBMs started in January and continued till August 2012, and the manufacturer specifies five to six months for assembly and two months for testing and initiation of actual operation.
The two TBMs were procured at a total cost of $92 million. The Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Company has paid $60 million so far to the contractor for onward payments to the manufacturer.
Moreover, power requirement for the TBMs was 15 megawatts. For adequate and reliable power supply, two generators have been brought to the site, and the other two will arrive by February.
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