The World Bank has been informed that the first unit of the Ghazi Barotha hydro power plant in Pakistan, which has a capacity of 290MW, will be commissioned on 14 August 2002. A World Bank mission is currently visiting Pakistan and is reviewing the progress of the US$2.2B project. The project is currently one year behind schedule and was delayed by land acquisition problems as a long water channel from Tarbela to Ghazi Barotha needed to be constructed.
Each day that passes is costing the Water & Power Development Authority (WAPDA) US$1M. According to WAPDA officials, the project is now being given top priority in order to complete it by July 2003.