720MW power project nears completion

The main structures of the 720MW Karot Hydropower Project (HPP) being constructed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have almost achieved completion.

The construction of the powerhouse, spillway and dam of the project that is being developed on River Jhelum is in its final stages.

Falling under the jurisdiction of two districts i.e. Rawalpindi and Kotli in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, work on the project started in December 2016 and on November 20 this year, the Karot HPP finally closed the Diversion Tunnels Gates (three in all) to start Stage One of impounding the reservoir. The development has been declared a major milestone achieved in the key project.

The reservoir of the Karot HPP extends 27km upstream up to the Azad Pattan area. Stage One of the reservoir impoundment was initially expected to take around 35 hours to elevate the water level up to 423m from 393m, but the desired level was attained successfully in just 28 hours.

A press release from the project claims that the Karot HPP has the best management practices in place to protect the community, staff and workers.

Moreover, special measures have been taken to protect and conserve the flora and fauna upstream as well as downstream because of the impoundment related impacts.

During the impoundment, emergency response teams were ready to deal with any emergency. The Punjab Rescue 1122 team, accompanied by an ambulance and water rescue vehicles, was also present on the project site.

The response teams were in constant liaison with all emergency organisations operational in the area. An efficient forecasting and warning communication system had been developed under early warning system and emergency action plans.

Community safety awareness campaigns were conducted well before the reservoir impoundment, with sessions being conducted in communities and adjacent villages.

Brochures and flyers were distributed, sign boards were installed at all potential locations and consultations and announcements were conducted in all communities whose respective representatives were identified and notified.

Community conservation committees formed under the Biodiversity Management Plan were also involved.

The project is implementing a state-of-the-art Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP), in which special measures have been introduced to cater to the low environmental flows downstream and several organisations have been engaged to protect and conserve the aquatic fauna.

Hundreds of staff have been deployed to follow the (fish) catch and release programme, while more staff performs 24/7 surveillance to control illegal fishing.

Under the programme, fish trapped in small pools or rocks are rescued and released back into the main river. Meanwhile, the watch and ward staff prevented local communities to catch fish and confiscated several gill nets and other fishing gear to protect the aquatic life.

Karot Power Company Pvt Ltd Chief Executive Officer said that it was the untiring effort of the management and staff that resulted in achieving such an important milestone.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2021.