In line with the Prime Minister's directions, Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Zafar Mahmood on Thursday visited 1410MW Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project to review construction work at various sites. WAPDA chairman's weekly visits to the project aimed at witnessing the progress against the targets set for the period, so that completion of the project is ensured by mid 2017 ahead of its original schedule, as directed by the Prime Minister.
It is pertinent to mention that early completion of the project in accordance with the accelerated construction plan will help WAPDA make use of high water flow season of the year 2017 for power generation from the project to add large quantum of low-cost electricity to the national grid. While reviewing the construction work on the project, WAPDA chairman directed the project authorities to expedite their efforts to make it sure that the timelines of the accelerated construction plan are met with stipulated quality standards.
In order to overcome electricity shortages in the country, on-time completion of the projects including Tarbela 4th Extension is a must, he added. He asked the project authorities to maintain effective co-ordination with the contractors to resolve the problems if arise during the construction work. Earlier, Tarbela Dam General Manaer Iqbal Masood Siddiqui briefed the chairman about progress on civil and electro-mechanical works of the project. In a major development, the contract for upgradation of the existing Switchyard of Tarbela Hydel Power Station has been awarded this week. The upgradation of the Switchyard scheduled to be completed in May 2017, will enable WAPDA to disperse electricity from Tarbela Hydel Power Station to national grid after completion of Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project. He assured WAPDA chairman that every effort will be made to complete the project in 2017 as per accelerated construction plan.
Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project Director Sohail Khan and representatives of the consultants and the contractors were also present during chairman's visit to the project.
Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project is being constructed on tunnel no 4 of Tarbela Dam. The project will increase generation capacity of Tarblea Hydel Power Station from 3478MW to 4888MW, after installation of three units - with installed capacity of 470MW each on tunnel no 4 of Tarbela Dam. The World Bank is providing US 840 million dollars for construction of the project. On completion, Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project will add about 3.84 billion units of low-cost electricity to the national grid per annum. The project will pay back its cost in just three years.
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