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Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
NJHP repair to take two more years
Neelum-Jhelum is a unique project as it is 90% underground and 10% above the ground and requires the building of an extensive tunnel system under a huge mountain. PHOTO: FILE Restoration work at the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHPC) would take two more years to complete, Water Resources Minister Muhammad Moeen told the National Assembly on Friday, as a committee investigating the issues was expected to finalise its report soon. Speaking during the Question Hour, the minister said that the main contract for carrying out the repair work on the project - which was shut in May 2024 - had not yet been awarded in accordance with the government's instructions. So far, Rs6.6 billion was spent to repair the project's Tail Race Tunnel (TRT). After the TRT was fixed, the plant resumed full operations in March 2024, generating 969 megawatts of electricity. However, the plant had to be shut down again two months later due to issues in Head Race Tunnel (HRT)," he said. He said that the project is currently working under a provisional tariff on a 'take-and-pay' basis. There are no fixed payments or returns on investment. The company is managing its expenses through its own resources and pending payments from power sales to the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA-G)." According to the National Power Control Centre (NPCC), the minister stated, the country has enough power generation to meet demand, and no load-shedding is being done due to shortages. He added that local electricity supply had not been affected by the shutdown. The minister informed the house that the project's consultants had been told to review and improve maintenance procedures to avoid such issues in the future. He stressed the importance of operating and maintaining the plant as per equipment manufacturer's guidelines to prevent unexpected closures.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ambazari Dam Escape Gate Project Hits Delays, Moves Forward After Redesign
Nagpur: Civic chief Abhijeet Chaudhari admitted before the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Thursday that a delay in administrative approval for redesigned escape gates at Ambazari Dam was caused by procedural hold-ups linked to the municipal budget software system's annual upgrade. In an affidavit filed in response to a PIL filed by Ramgopal Bachuka and others regarding safety and flood management concerns at the dam, Chaudhari explained that the irrigation department initially sought administrative clearance for Rs11 crore in August 2024, which NMC granted the following month. However, the department later requested revised approval for Rs6.6 crore in February 2025 after redesigning the gates as radial structures. This second request was only cleared on April 23. Chaudhari clarified that although the proposal was received on February 12, it was delayed due to budget finalisation and temporary unavailability of the Budget Monitoring System (BMS), which only became functional again on April 21. The revised provision was uploaded on April 23, enabling prompt approval. The commissioner pointed out that the divisional commissioner had already directed the irrigation department to proceed with work even before receiving formal approval, citing the prior Rs11 crore sanction. Accordingly, the tender for the revised radial gates was floated, and bids are now scheduled to be opened on April 25. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like News For Jack Nicholson, 87, He Has Been Confirmed To Be... Reportingly Undo Chaudhari reiterated that there was no hindrance from NMC's end for executing the escape gate project and affirmed compliance with court directives. Once the tender is awarded, it may take nine months for work to get completed: Affidavit In a detailed affidavit submitted before the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court, the irrigation department has informed that the tender process for installing escape gates at Ambazari Dam is underway, with the financial bid set to be opened soon. The tender, once awarded, will take nine months for completion. The submission was made by executive engineer, irrigation department, Nagpur region, in response to a PIL by Ramgopal Bachuka and others regarding safety and flood management concerns at the dam. The department stated that initial works to strengthen the dam's waste weir and earthen sections were completed by March 2023 and March 2025 respectively. However, attempts to float tenders for two 4mx2.5m escape gates in September and October 2024 drew no bidders. Contractors reportedly refused to work near the Swami Vivekananda statue due to limited working space and the risk of damaging the structure, fearing liability. Following consultations with the Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI), the irrigation department revised the design and location, opting to install 4mx2m radial gates on the right side of the spillway. Technical vetting of the new design was completed in February 2025. Although administrative approval from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is pending, tenders were floated in February and March 2025. Only one bidder responded, and in line with govt norms requiring at least three bidders, a second call was issued. Additionally, the affidavit noted that a 12m x 1m emergency outlet was created on the spillway's right side in 2024 to facilitate early water release during the monsoon. This measure, effective last season, is expected to serve again in the upcoming rains.
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Karachi power consumers may get relief as K-E seeks Rs6.62 per unit tariff cut
Prior approval to NEPRA K-electric consumer may seen a huge relief over electricity bills. PHOTO: FILE Listen to article A significant reduction in electricity tariffs for Karachi consumers may soon be on the horizon, as a public hearing at NEPRA Headquarters concluded on the matter. K-Electric submitted a request for a Rs6.62 per unit reduction in electricity rates under the Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) mechanism. The proposal also included approval of fuel cost charges incurred from July 2023 to February 2025, Express News reported. K-Electric officials argued that a fuel cost adjustment amounting to Rs13.9 billion is still pending. NEPRA Member Rafiq Ahmed Sheikh pointed out that since November, negative fuel charge adjustments have been observed, indicating that consumers were supposed to receive relief. However, he noted that K-Electric brought forward older adjustments during this period of expected relief. A consumer representative expressed concern that the full benefit of the negative FCA has once again not been passed on to the consumers. Sheikh further remarked that if K-Electric fails to replace malfunctioning meters, the company itself will bear the losses. If the proposal is approved in full, it would result in a substantial relief of Rs6.6 billion for consumers. The reduction, however, will not apply to lifeline consumers, protected consumers, pre-paid meter users, and electric vehicle charging stations.
