With the devaluation of Rupee and overall increasing costs of construction the delay in commissioning of power projects costs billions of dollars to the taxpayers. The initial cost estimates of Diamer Bhasha dam put it at an estimated $8.50 billion. But due to delays in commissioning and poor planning the cost of the project has increased to about $14 Billion.
Similarly other power production projects have also been delayed Gomal Zam Dam with an installed capacity of 17.4 megawatts and planned start date of July 2002 was due to be commissioned in September 2006. However, it was commissioned in June 2014, after seven years. The 17.3 megawatts Satpara Dam was commissioned in June 2012, after a delay of 5.5 years.
Allai Khwar Dam was commissioned in March 2013 whereas it was due to be commissioned in June 2007. The Duber Khwar Dam was commissioned in December 2013 instead of October 2008 and the Khan Khwar Dam in March 2012 instead of October 2007.
Mangla Dam with an installed capacity of 310 megawatts was due to be commissioned in December 2009. But after a delay of 1.8 years it was commissioned in October 2011. Neelum Jhelum with an installed capacity of 969 megawatts was due to be commissioned in 2008 with an estimated cost of $1,500, but it was commissioned after 10 years in March 2018 at the cost of $5.1 billion.
