MUZAFFARGARH: A report on Rs14bn rehabilitation project for Taunsa Barrage carried out from 2005-09 has accepted that the project was faulty.

Inspection Report Taunsa Barrage, dated Jan 9, 2015, prepared by five chief engineers, two superintending engineers and principal research officer (Hydraulics) IRI unanimously submitted that “the loose stone apron and filter blocks be restored at the earliest. The design of stilling basin may be reviewed by deputing some independent designers”.

Previously, the investigation reports had submitted that the damages are due to ‘misregulation’ by the field staff, but this report clearly stated that the damages are not due to the ‘misregulation’ rather the committee noted that “the energy created due to formation of hydraulic jump, could not be dissipated due to inadequate provision of energy dissipation devices in stilling basin. From the study of drawings of stilling basin, it was revealed that friction blocks and impact blocks were not appearing on the drawing and as explained by the executive engineer Taunsa that these devices were not constructed at site.

The project had destabilised the Taunsa Barrage after just five years of its operation and it is feared that the barrage may sink without alarm.

The river downstream of the barrage has changed its route by about 2.5km due to the sub-weir and the city of Kot Addu is in danger.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2015

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