Chairman WAPDA visits Diamer Basha Dam and reviews the construction work at the Project. The Project is progressing ahead as work continues on 14 key sites. The Chairman directs the project team to ensure quality standards.
The Diamer Basha Dam Project is progressing ahead, as construction work is simultaneously underway day in and day out on as many as 14 critical sites of the Project, being constructed by WAPDA across the River Indus, 40 km downstream of Chilas town.
Chairman WAPDA Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) reached the Diamer Basha Dam site today to witness construction activities on the Project. He visited the diversion canal, guide wall, diversion tunnel, upstream and downstream coffer dams, permanent bridge, and left and right abutments of the main dam in detail.
The project team, consisting of the CEO of Diamer Basha Dam Company, the General Manager/Project Director, the Diamer Basha Dam Project, the Consultants, and the Contractors, briefed the Chairman about progress on each site. It was informed that the diversion system is functioning satisfactorily. The permanent access bridge downstream of the main dam site has been completed, while adjacent approach roads are scheduled to be completed by next month.
The Chairman directed the Consultants and Contractors to strictly adhere to the construction standards laid down to ensure theto ensure the quality of the works.
During his visit to Diamer Basha Dam, the Chairman participated in a jirga with the Gilgit Baltistan Ministers and the civil administration. Therein, a thorough deliberation was made upon the resettlement of the affected people, particularly the Chulha package. The Chairman said WAPDA highly values the sacrifices of the locals for the construction of the Project. Therefore, every effort is made to positively change people’s lives through economic empowerment and social uplift.
WAPDA has been spending a hefty Rs. 78.5 billion on resettlement of the affected people and development schemes in health, education, and infrastructure in the project area. Moreover, priority is also being accorded to the locals in employment opportunities at the Project.
Diamer Basha Dam is the highest roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam globally, with a 272-meter height. Scheduled for completion in 2028, the dam has a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 MAF, enough to irrigate 1.23 million acres of land. With an installed power generation capacity of 4,500 MW, the Project will provide 18 billion units of green, clean, and affordable electricity to the national grid annually.
