Sharif orders speedy completion of Neelum Jehlum Hydel Poject

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today ordered authorities to expedite completion of Chinese-funded Neelum Jehlum Hydel Poject in PoK to overcome the power shortage in the country.
Sharif, who chaired a meeting to review the progress on the project which is in the vicinity of Muzaffarabad, directed Secretary Ministry of Water and Power to submit a bi-weekly report on the project to his office.
"All those related to the project management of Nelum Jehlum must shift to the site of the project for ensuring effective supervision and speedy work on the project," the Prime Minister said.
He stressed that achieving economic stability is directly connected with uninterrupted power supply to the industrial sector of the country, for which timely completion of the energy projects is necessary.

"Our efforts in the shape of power projects in diverse sources of energy reflect our determination to overcome the issue of power shortage in Pakistan," Sharif said.
The project, which was launched in 2008 in Pakistan occupied Kashmir with Chinese assistance, had slowed down due to a financial crunch.

The cost had gone up to Rs 450 billion from Rs 280 billion due to delay in executing the project.
It was facing huge liability amounting to Rs 20 billion with no plans for the transmission lines when Sharif took over in 2013.
He has given special attention for the project which will contribute more than 950 MW of electricity to the national grid on completion.

India has been expressing concern over China taking up infrastructure projects in PoK.