Naseerabad: A high-level inspection was conducted on October 2 at the Antam Dam in Naseerabad, a project initiated in 2011-12 with a budget of 166 million but plagued by long-standing delays and alleged financial irregularities. The visit, led by Chief Minister Inspection Team (CMIT) member and Inquiry Officer Aslam Tareen, aimed to ascertain the causes behind the project’s incomplete status and the financial discrepancies associated with it.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Balochistan, the inspection was prompted by a referral from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which has raised concerns over the project’s management, specifically the escalation of costs and unauthorized relocation of the dam. Engineers from the Irrigation Department, Amanullah Gajani, Murad Bakhsh Marri, and Noor Ahmed, were present to assist the CMIT member in his review.
The investigation revealed that the dam’s construction site was improperly moved 12 kilometers north of the originally approved location, leading to structural issues and deviations from the initial design. These changes occurred following cost revisions in 2014 and 2015, reportedly due to collusion between irrigation officers and the contractor.
The final report from this inquiry, which includes detailed assessments of the dam and related water channels intended to bolster agriculture in the region, will soon be submitted to higher authorities. Based on these findings, actions will be recommended against those found responsible for the mismanagement, as the government aims to rectify the financial losses and ensure accountability.