Cause analysis of delay in development induced displacement and resettlement (DIDR) project. A case study of Diamer Basha Dam Project in Pakistan

Developmental projects, which will complete within a timeframe, save extra-cost and time over-run. Due to many causes, hydro power and dam projects in Pakistan are trapped into long gestation periods and face delay in development. This research is based on a case study to explore the causes of delay in the Diamer Basha Dam Project (DBDP) in Pakistan. The preliminary causes of delay in project, identified from literature were classified under political, economic, social, technical, legal, and environmental factors using the PESTLE technique. Through stratified random sampling method a designed questionnaire with 52 items were distributed to 120 severing employees in the public stakeholders institutions of the DBDP. The collected data were tested using statistical tools in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20. Based on the 109 responses, this study has examined and ranked critical causes of delay in the DBDP. The findings show that the causes of delay in development induced displacement and resettlement (DIDR) project are associated with PESTLE related causes and the most influencing factors are economic and social factors. It is suggested that policymakers well understand the dynamics of PESTLE factors of delay at projects planning stage and devise corresponding strategies to cope with these issues.