Dispute erupts between KP departments over 40 mini hydro projects funded by ADB

PESHAWAR: A dispute has arisen between two Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) departments—the Irrigation Department and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO)—over the construction of 40 Mini Microhydro Power Projects (MMHP), funded by an Rs2.5 billion from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Irrigation Department has expressed serious concerns about the project and has decided to issue a conditional NOC (No Objection Certificate) for it.

According to documents from the KP government, in 2021, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization decided to build 40 Mini Microhydro Power Projects at various canal locations in Charsadda, Mardan, Malakand, Swabi, Haripur, Kohat, and Bannu. The provincial government secured Rs2.5 billion ADB loan for the construction of these projects.

According to documents, the Irrigation Department raised objections to the project from the outset and informed the Energy and Power Department about these concerns.

Last year, on July 3, the Irrigation Department sent a letter to the Secretary of the Energy and Power Department, stating that constructing Mini Microhydro Power Projects on the canals would lead to a water crisis for farmers in the affected areas, which would negatively impact their crops.

Additionally, since the canal system in the province operates on a rotation basis, there would be times during the year when water would not be available for these projects. The letter outlined eight points of objection to the projects and concluded by stating that, due to these reasons, the Irrigation Department could not support the construction of Mini Hydro Power Projects on the canals.

According to documents, despite the Irrigation Department not issuing an NOC, PEDO has completed the process of issuing tenders for the projects. Additionally, the issue of not issuing the NOC has been discussed multiple times in meetings of the project’s steering committee and the technical committee of the Irrigation Department. Recently, PEDO also sent a letter to the Irrigation Department requesting the issuance of the NOC in light of the technical committee’s recommendations.

The Irrigation Department has decided to issue a conditional NOC and has set 24 conditions for PEDO. According to an official source, during the recent provincial cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took note of the situation and instructed that the issue of the NOC be resolved as soon as possible.

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According to officials from the Irrigation Department, they have presented conditions for issuing the NOC, which will be granted if these conditions are met. However, PEDO officials have stated that several of the Irrigation Department’s conditions are impractical and have informed senior provincial government officials about this issue.