ISLAMABAD (June 29 2009): The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has opposed entrusting feasibility study for 2,800MW Thakkot hydropower project, estimated to cost $6 billion, to the Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB), accusing the Board of creating hurdles in hydropower projects. These comments came at a time when there is an inside debate at different levels as to which organisation should undertake the feasibility study of Thakkot dam--PPIB or Wapda? Thakkot dam site is located in a narrow section of Indus River, about three km downstream of Besham Qila. Distance from Islamabad is 240 km. Identified by Monenco in \'Inventory and Ranking Study\' in November 1984 and reviewed by Hydro Planning Organisation (HPO), Wapda, PC-II of the project was submitted to the Ministry of Water and Power on April 30, 2009. The feasibility study period will be 24 months, after engagement of consultants. Wapda is of the view that the project would consist of 19.8 km long tunnel, surge shaft, cavern powerhouse and 60 metres high dam. These components require technical expertise of international level for planning, designing and investigation to assess the rock conditions at various project components such as alignment of tunnel, shaft, powerhouse and the reservoir. The project area is close to Shear Zones and Main Mantle Thrust (MMT), which needs careful investigation to arrive at certain specific conclusion. Therefore, it is necessary to involve foreign experts to work with local consultants having vast and diverse experience, specialised in related fields such as geotechnical/tunnelling/seismo-tectonic/hydrology/environment/transmission lines/economics. However, Wapda personnel would also be deputed with these consultants to provide them a good opportunity of training and development of expertise. Another argument given by Wapda is that foreign input has been limited to the extent where this is essentially required in the prevalent circumstances. It is worth mentioning that Thakot project is a part of cascade system, and its feasibility study can be finalised only in conjunction with operation/construction of both upstream and downstream projects of River Indus--Pattan Hydropower Project, Dasu Hydropower Project, Diamer Basha Dam, Bunji Hydropower Project and downstream projects like Tarbela, Akhori, Ghazi Barotha, Chasma and Jinnah Hydropower Project after sharing of data from all these projects. As far as PPIB is concerned, Wapda is of the view that its expertise is limited and it has not yet undertaken studies for even medium size hydropower projects. On the other hand, supervision of feasibilities requires highly multi-disciplinary technical staff to monitor the studies being carried out by the consultants. "Involving PPIB for such a big project will only delay studies and may lead to technical and other problems and Wapda, as a specialist organisation, is the best forum to undertake the feasibility study of Thakot Hydropower Project," sources cited a note sent by Wapda GM to the federal government.