Indus diversion planned in November

Diamer-Basha Dam to be connected with river downstream Chilas as part of mega multi-purpose project

LAHORE:

The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) is expected to divert the Indus river towards the Diamer-Basha Dam project through a kilometre-long diversion tunnel and 800metre-long diversion canal by November this year.

During a visit to the dam site, Wapda Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani was informed that Indus would flow through the diversion system and re-join its natural course downstream of main dam site, a Wapda spokesperson said here on Wednesday.

The dam is being constructed on the Indus at 40 kilometres downstream Chilas. The spokesperson said that the river diversion was one of the key activities for implementation of the mega multi-purpose project,

“Construction work is progressing on 13 sites. The upstream starter dam to facilitate river diversion under stage-1 has been completed, while work on downstream starter dam is going on and expected to be completed by November for stage-1 diversion,” he added.

During the visit, the Wapda chairman was briefed about the progress on the diversion canal to be used during high-flow season. Targets and achievements on the project were also discussed during the briefing.

Later, the chairman had a detailed visit of various sites, diversion tunnel, diversion canal, up and downstream starter (coffer) dams and downstream permanent bridge in particular. He also inaugurated newly-constructed field hospital at the project site.

The spokesperson further said that the chairman also visited the Dasu Hydropower Project and reviewed construction activities on the project. The 4,320MW project would be completed in two stages. APP