ISLAMABAD, Aug 4: Changes in design and delay in start of construction of the Sabakazi Dam in Balochistan have caused its cost to escalate from Rs1 billion to Rs1.8 billion, Dawn has learnt.

Official documents reveal that Wapda has sought more money from the government as the contractor has submitted enhanced rates for executing the high-profile, priority project meant to win hearts and minds of the people of Balochistan.

Wapda has informed the higher authorities that the cost of various components of the dam, like spillway, irrigation system and inlet/outlet works, has increased.

In the original PC-1, the estimate of spillway was arrived on the basis of preliminary/tentative design.

However, the exposed condition/detailed hydraulic analysis resulted in change in its original design, recommended at the feasibility stage. Besides, rates of certain items such as steel and concrete have also gone up and contributed to increase in the cost of the spillway from Rs172.97 million to Rs228.83 million.

Change in the cost of inlet/outlet structure is because of addition of details in its preliminary/tentative design in the PC-1. Due to higher rates quoted by the construction contractor the cost of the structure has risen from Rs20.37 million to Rs52.405 million.

The cost of irrigation system has also increased, due to major changes in canal alignment and provision of hydraulic structures along canals, from Rs156.62 to Rs512.93 million and it also excludes a rebate offered by the contractor.

Wapda has also informed the federal authorities that keeping in view the availability of construction material, geology, topography and seismic survey of the site, a zoned type embankment dam has been selected for the proposed site.

The dam will have a maximum height of 34.75m and a length of 396m at its crest level. The reservoir so created will extend about 5 km upstream.

Sabakazi Dam is proposed across Sawar Rud, about 68 km South-West of Zhub Town in Balochistan. It will provide irrigation supplies of about 33 cusecs to irrigate about 6,875 acres round the year with average cropping intensity of 123 per cent and Kharif-Rabi ratio of 1:1.18. The present yield level would almost be doubled after the dam goes operational. Besides, the dam will also control flashy floods which cause damages to crops and property.