ISLAMABAD - The apex court on Friday said delay in construction of Dasu Dam would increase its cost and its burden would be shifted to the taxpayers.

The court directed the government to raise the concerns of Chinese company with the World Bank to decide the matter at the earliest. The Supreme Court said that in the last order it had made it clear that the government would take decision regarding the dam in the light of its orders.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Dost Muhammad heard the appeal of Power Construction Corporation of China against the Lahore High Court’s judgment. The LHC had turned down the Chinese company petition to direct the World Bank to include it in the construction of Dasu Dam.

WAPDA in 2014 had announced to undertake a project on Indus River located at Dasu Town. The said project is partly funded by International Development Association (IDA), an organisation forming part of World Bank Group. The IDA has approved the financing of Stage-1 of the project with a credit of $588.4 million.

Justice Dost inquired whether there is country director or head of World Bank in Pakistan. He also asked about the agreement signed between government of Pakistan and the World Bank.

Salman Aslam Butt, appearing on behalf of the Chinese company, informed that according to the agreement Pakistani laws could be implemented during the project of Dasu Dam.

Shehzada Mazhar advocate, representing WAPDA informed that the Chinese company had approached the World Bank for examination of its application. The Chinese company wanted to tender bid for Dasu Hydropower Project, which the Bank had declined.

Justice Qazi said let the decision of the World Bank, positive or negative, come after that they will pass an appropriate order.

The Wapda counsel said that the government had opened the financial bids and received Rs460 million, adding if at this stage the process is halted then huge loss would be caused.

Water and Power Development Authority has received seven bids from international companies belonging to China, Turkey, South Korea and Vietnam for main civil works – MW-01 and MW-02 – of Stage-1 of 5,400 MW Dasu Hydropower Project.

Justice Dost Muhammad said it is national interest project and should have started 10 years ago. He said due to delay its cost has increased manifolds. He said further delay in construction of the Dam would cause loss to the country.

The project includes the construction of a 5,400MW hydropower plant on the Indus River near Dasu town in Kohistan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project is located approximately 74km downstream of the Diamer Basha Dam, 240km upstream of the Tarbela Dam and 345km from Islamabad.

The run-of-river hydropower project is being developed in two stages. Stage 1 includes installation of six hydropower units which will produce 360MW each, while in Stage 2 nine additional 360MW units will be installed.

The case is adjourned till the third week of September.