Assessment of Extension of Time Claims in Hydropower Projects of Pakistan
Hashim Hanif1, Yasar Saleem2, Zuhaib Aslam Shahid3, Abdullah Hanif4, Anwar Zeb5
1Hashim Hanif, Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Science & Technology Risalpur, Pakistan.
2Major Yasar Saleem, National University of Sciences & Technology Risalpur, Pakistan.
3Zuhaib Aslam Shahid, Project Control Engineer, Alfanar Construction Company, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
4Abdullah Hanif, Contracts Engineer in Hydropower, Pakistan Engineering Services (PVT) Limited, Pakistan.
5Anwar Zeb, Department of Civil Engineering, National University of Science & Technology Risalpur, Pakistan.
Manuscript received on September 27, 2014. | Revised Manuscript received on October 13, 2014. | Manuscript published on October 30, 2014. | PP: 29-33  | Volume-4 Issue-1, October 2014. | Retrieval Number:  A3432104114/2013©BEIESP

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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Abstract: The occurrence of delay in construction industry is a regular trend all over the world which is caused by number of factors. The Hydropower projects are no exception to such delays. It is difficult to find a Hydropower project in Pakistan not experiencing delay. Construction Industry in Pakistan is transforming itself into a very well organized and scientifically managed industry over the past one decade. It is observed that Construction Management issues related to mega projects such as Hydropower Projects, still need to be addressed. First step in finding out the causes of Extension of Time Claims in Hydropower Projects is to identify the factors that significantly contribute towards the deformation of triple constraint (Cost, Scope and Time) of Construction Projects. This research has been carried out on nine (15) Hydropower Projects in Pakistan, which have been completed in last 10 years or are in execution phase of construction. Survey questionnaires were created to collect data from all project stakeholders comprising of clients, consultants and contractors. In addition, these projects were physically visited and Project Management Documents related to all phases were reviewed. The causes leading to delays have been identified and ranked with the help of these questionnaires and reviews. A variety of Techniques have been employed for the assessment of Extension of Time Claims, main purpose of this study was therefore to analyze different Techniques which are used in Pakistan and to probe the reasons for delay in the assessment and submission of EOT. The demographic data of the respondents have also been collected in order to ensure the responses were not biased and to point out the phase that is more prone to delays. They were ranked using the relative importance index (RII) as well as Pareto Analysis. Research revealed that the delay in interim payment certificates, land acquisition problems, delay in issuance of construction drawings, lack of baseline schedule and poor design were among the leading contributing factors leading to Extension of Time Claims. Based on the lessons learnt after conclusion of such projects around the world and experience of managers at all levels associated to Hydropower Projects, this study also recommends measures to curb the causes of delays so that the construction process can be optimized.
Keywords: Extension of Time, (EOT), Delay Causes, Construction Industry and Hydropower Projects.