969MW Neelum-Jhelum project commissioning further delays

ISLAMABAD: In a new development, the commissioning of much-touted Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project of 969MW has further delayed, and now it will come on stream on April 13, 2018, in the wake of some teething problems observed during the testing period. The project was earlier scheduled to commission on March 31.

The top management of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project was under extreme pressure to make the project functional on time, and the mandarins of the project wanted the delay fearing if some teething problems are not addressed, then project could sustain the colossal loss if it was made operational.

The project that has completed with the enormous amount of over Rs500.343 billion cannot afford to face any kind problem in its smooth sailing, a senior official privy to the development told The News saying, otherwise, it may prove another Nandipur power project.

The official said that two concrete blocks had fallen in the main head race tunnel which is full of water fearing that they may hit the power turbines which is why the international consultant Mr John Gummer hired for the project had opposed to making the project functional on March 31 unless and until the issue of concrete blocks and other teething troubles are resolved.

In the transformer hall, the official said that some water leakage has occurred during the testing, which is being addressed, and the consultant wanted to first resolve the issue before the management start operating the project.

More importantly, the communication system between the three sites C-1, C-2 and C-3 is yet to be fully made functional, the official said adding that in case any disturbance is surfaced, it will not be communicated to the control room on time having dangerous consequences on the project.

The fourth power turbine of 242MW will be operational on April 23 and after that the third turbine will come on stream to be followed by turbine 2 and turbine 1, and the whole project will start generating 969MW by June 30, 2018.

However, the Wapda chairman confirmed the development saying that the project will now be made functional by mid of April instead of March 31 saying the Prime Minister would not be available on March 31. However, he said that there are some testing problems surfaced during the testing and are being overcome.

Brig Zarin, CEO of Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Company has been sent the questionnaire in his whatSapp a week ago, but he did not come up with any response. He was also sent SMSs and given calls, but he avoided to answer.

The sources claimed that when the consultant gave his opinion to delay the project, the management wanted to postpone its commissioning by one month more, but the top leadership said: “Do make the project functional by March 31.”

However, in later stage, the management of the project has managed to get the project delayed by 13 days. The experts said that it is wise decision to delay the project as all kinds of the problems should be resolved prior to commissioning the project for commercial basis.