Wapda Faces Scrutiny Over Tarbela 5th Extension Flaws
Pakistan’s two highest project sanctioning bodies ordered a review of lapses by the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) in the Rs316 billion Tarbela 5th Extension Project, official documents have revealed. Five months after the first order, the review committee has still not been formed.
The documents show that the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) both instructed that a committee led by the water resources minister examine the procedural lapses and delays in the design and execution of the project. The Express Tribune reported the findings from the official documents.
The disclosure comes a day after a breach at the project’s Tunnel-5 site flooded construction works and forced work to stop.
What the documents show
The CDWP, the first administrative tier for the approval of development projects, gave its instructions in May this year. Ecnec followed in August, when the project came up for final approval.
In light of the CDWP instructions, the Planning Commission wrote to the Water Resources Ministry, the sponsoring ministry of the scheme, in June to set up the committee. An official of the Planning Commission told The Express Tribune that no committee has been established so far.
Wapda’s spokesman did not respond to a query on whether any remedial measures had been taken in light of the federal government’s instructions. The Ministry of Water Resources also did not comment.
While chairing the CDWP meeting in May, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal observed that there were “serious lapses on part of Wapda regarding selection of consultants, delay in implementation, weaker design and increase in the cost of the project”.
The Rs316 billion Tarbela 5th Extension project
Wapda is executing the project to convert the 5th irrigation tunnel of Tarbela Dam for hydropower generation. The work will add 1,410 MW to the country’s power capacity.
The tunnel is presently used to release water for irrigation when the reservoir level falls below the minimum spillway operating level. Once the powerhouse is installed, it will keep that function and also carry spillway water through Tunnel-5.
Ecnec, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, approved the revised PC-I at a total cost of Rs316.4 billion, including a foreign loan of Rs180.7 billion. It directed that the project be executed in line with set timelines and that no further cost escalation take place.
The committee ordered by both bodies was asked to review all gaps in hiring consultants, enhancing the scope of work due to changes in design, variation orders, and the rationalisation of the revised PC-I cost, to ensure transparency and avoid mismanagement.
In the first week of this month, the Planning Ministry issued authorisation orders and asked the Water Resources Ministry to issue administrative approval. Ecnec had allowed the implementation period of the project to run till June 2028.
Monday’s breach at Tunnel-5
The scrutiny has taken on fresh weight after Monday’s incident at the project site. A breach in a protective embankment at the T-5 Hydropower Project sent a large volume of water flooding into Tunnel-5, and construction work was suspended indefinitely.
The project was suspended after the bund breach, and Wapda later assured the public that the dam itself was safe after a rock collapse at the site.
According to the report, a weak rock mass collapsed during excavation of the second bench connecting the tunnel, allowing water from the Intake Pit to enter the tunnel and the powerhouse area. Wapda said the water had been completely drained and dewatering from the under-construction powerhouse had started.
The authority also said there was no damage to the main tunnel, the under-construction powerhouse, the tailrace culvert or the switch yard, and that reports of a tunnel collapse were incorrect.
What happens next
The documents leave two questions open. The first is whether the Water Resources Ministry will now form the committee that the CDWP ordered in May and Ecnec endorsed in August. The second is whether the review, when it happens, will lead to changes in how the project is run before its June 2028 deadline.
The record shows a project carrying World Bank additional financing, where the government’s own sanctioning bodies found serious lapses and ordered a review that has yet to begin. The power sector can ill afford another troubled scheme: distribution companies are being prepared for privatisation with assets worth Rs624 billion, and the Power Division has already had to cap monthly bills to shield consumers.
The cost of the Tarbela extension, and the delays behind it, will ultimately be borne by the public purse. The finance ministry says the fiscal deficit is at a 22-year low, but that claim rests on projects like this one being delivered on time and on budget.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Tarbela 5th Extension Project?
It converts the 5th irrigation tunnel of Tarbela Dam for hydropower generation, adding 1,410 MW of capacity. The tunnel will keep releasing water for irrigation and will also carry spillway water through the new powerhouse.
What lapses did the CDWP find?
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, chairing the CDWP in May, observed serious lapses by Wapda in the selection of consultants, delay in implementation, weaker design and an increase in the project’s cost.
Has the review committee been formed?
No. The CDWP ordered it in May and Ecnec endorsed it in August. The Planning Commission wrote to the Water Resources Ministry in June, but a Planning Commission official said no committee has been established so far.
What happened at Tunnel-5 on Monday?
A protective embankment breached, flooding Tunnel-5 with water from the Intake Pit after a weak rock mass collapsed during excavation. Construction was suspended indefinitely. Wapda said the water was drained and there was no damage to the main tunnel or powerhouse.
When is the project due to finish?
Ecnec allowed the implementation period to run till June 2028. The revised PC-I cost is Rs316.4 billion, including a foreign loan of Rs180.7 billion.
