ISLAMABAD - Leaving the Communication Minister in helpless state, incumbent government has almost excused to give finance by now to the concerned ministry for its delayed projects, while the escalation cost is increasing day by day. Communication Minister Dr Arbab Alamgir even had written a letter to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani about the delayed projects by mentioning increasing escalation cost, but even after passing seven months the Ministry got only 40 percent of approved PSDP, high-level ministry sources told The Nation on Sunday. The PC-1 of the repair work on damaged roads in flash floods has also been approved by CDWP but it was also subject to availability of finance, as no funds was given as yet, said the sources. When contacted, Minister for Communication Dr Arbab Alamgir admitted that the ministry was running short of finance to complete much delayed projects. The minister seemed helpless to remark that he has asked on a number of times to the Finance Ministry and other concerned departments but no sufficient finance was given yet. "Tomorrow, I will again visit the Finance Ministry for this purpose, as the ministry is in dire need of it to complete the delayed projects," Arbab said adding that the threat of escalation cost is much pinching as it needs timely solution. He said that the total PSDP allocation for 2010-11 is Rs 44.63 billion and by end of the 3rd financial quarter it received only Rs 11.63 billion. The minister said that they are thinking on priority basis so that much delayed and important projects like Lowari Tunnel, KKH, Northern By-pass, M-4, Islamabad-Murree Expressway, M-9 could be completed to save the escalation cost. It is relevant to mention here that the work on Islamabad-Murree Expressway, which links Islamabad with Muzaffarabad and Chakothi was started during the last tenure of Nawaz Sharif with an initial cost of Rs 3 billion. While, after passing much time, the project is still incomplete. Besides, 19 projects including M-8 (Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab) project, most of them under construction even after passing its date of completion. The sources said that around 60 per cent work was remaining on Sorab-Basima-Naag-Panjgur-Hoshab (454 Km) road even after passing around four years. Other major delayed projects even after the scheduled time completion included (N-25) Widening of Kalat-Quetta-Chaman, Kalat-Quetta (60-km), Quetta-Chaman (57-km), Lakpass Tunnel (180M), Musli Bagh-Qila Saifulla (50-km), Ormara-Pasni section and others.