ISLAMABAD, Aug 9: The $1.6 billion Neelum-Jhelum project that could produce 969mw of cheap hydropower and protect Pakistan’s rights over river Jhelum is in doldrums as it got a single responsive bid for construction — an outcome that led to cancellation of bidding results last year.

A senior official of the water and power ministry told Dawn on Wednesday that the joint venture of China Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) was the only qualified experienced tenderer, who participated in all rounds of previous bids with satisfied bid bonds and financing commitment. “This tender again proved the same as happened before.”

Similar results were cancelled last year and re-bidding was announced. The tenders for the project were invited for the third time. This time, the technical bids were evaluated on four counts, including tender security, financing proposal, eligibility and experience.

Wapda would, however, open financial bids of two bidders on Aug 10. One of the bidders China Gazhouba was initially declared technically non-responsive but was later cleared conditionally.