Progress on Diamer Basha dam reviewed

WAPDA chief pushes for swift construction, highlights development efforts

LAHORE:

Chairman WAPDA, Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd), reviewed the construction progress of the Diamer Basha Dam Project during a day-long visit, according to a press release issued on Thursday.

The Diamer Basha Dam, standing 272 meters high, is the world's tallest roller-compacted-concrete (RCC) dam. It is being constructed across the Indus River, 40 km downstream of Chilas town. Currently, construction is ongoing at 17 key sites, with the project scheduled for completion in 2028, the statement said.

Ghani inspected the diversion tunnels, upstream and downstream coffer dams, guide wall, dam pit, and the newly completed permanent bridge. He also visited the material testing laboratory. The visit was accompanied by WAPDA's Member (Water), the CEO of Diamer Basha Dam Company, and senior project officials.

The site briefings highlighted the satisfactory performance of the river diversion system during the high flow season, ongoing excavation work on the dam's abutments, and the completion of the permanent access bridge downstream of the main dam.

Ghani urged consultants and contractors to accelerate construction to meet the project's deadlines.

Diamer Basha Dam boasts a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 million acre-feet (MAF) and will irrigate 1.23 million acres of land. It will have a power generation capacity of 4,500 MW, contributing 18 billion units of electricity annually.

In the second part of his visit, the chairman held a Jirga with elders from Diamer and Upper Kohistan, accompanied by WAPDA's GM (Land Acquisition and Resettlement) and local civil administration. Discussions focused on WAPDA's confidence-building measures (CBMs) in resettlement, health, education, and infrastructure development in the Diamer Basha Dam and Dasu Hydropower Project areas.

WAPDA has allocated Rs78.5 billion for development schemes related to Diamer Basha Dam and Rs17.35 billion for the Dasu Hydropower Project. Ghani also emphasised prioritising local employment opportunities in both projects.