Cost of Shadi Kaur storage Dam surges to Rs 7.930 billion

Cost of Shadi Kaur Storage Dam has surged to Rs 7.930 billion in the thrice revised PC-I recently approved by Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) from initially approved cost of Rs 2.637 billion. The dam located near Pasni town in district Gwadar of Balochistan would be sponsored by Ministry of Water & Power and executed by Balochistan's Irrigation department.
Construction of Shadi Kaur Dam, appurtenant works and related irrigation system project was approved by ECNEC in 2008 at cost of Rs 2.637 billion with three years implementation period. However, it could not be completed due to increase in scope of work, revision of design parameters and price escalation. The government of Balochistan submitted 1st revised PC-I costing Rs 5.195billion. The 1st revised PC-I was approved by the ECNEC in 2011 with 48 months implementation period at rationalised cost of Rs 4.149 billion. The revised project once again could not be completed within approved cost and timeframe due to law & order situation besides inclusion of additional works and price escalation.
The 2nd revised PC-I costing Rs 6.42 billion with timeframe to complete the project by June, 2015 was submitted to the ECNEC. After rationalisation of the cost, ECNEC approved it on December 31, 2013 at cost of Rs 6.522 billion.
Thirds revised PC-I of Rs 7.930 billion was recently approved by the ECNEC with completion date of June 2016. The Shadi Kaur river is a mountainous stream originating from south of Turbat city and runs 83 km before falling into Arabian Sea. The catchment area of Shadi Kaur River is 2816 km up to the proposed dam site where the ground elevation is about 40 meter. Annually irrigation requirement of the area will be met through construction of the proposed dam. The main objective of the project is to provide 70.28 cusecs assured water supply to irrigate 7,600 acres of agriculture land. The other auxiliary objectives are;(i) recharge of groundwater aquifer; (ii) mitigation of flood losses;(iii) providing drinking water to 15,000 souls of Pasni and surrounding areas besides providing water to Gwadar city. The meeting was informed that 92 per cent project work has been completed and target date for its accomplishment is June 30 2016.