Islamabad: Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Engr Lt Gen (Retd) Sajjad Ghani conducted a comprehensive review of the Diamer Basha Dam Project during a day-long visit, as reported on September 9.
As per details, the 272-meter high Diamer Basha Dam, set to be the world’s tallest roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam, is being built across the River Indus, 40 kilometers downstream of Chilas town. During the visit, Chairman Ghani inspected key project sites, including diversion tunnels, upstream and downstream coffer dams, guide walls, the dam pit, and a permanent bridge. He also evaluated the material testing laboratory. The Chairman was briefed by the CEO of the Diamer Basha Dam Company, the GM/PD of the project, and other key stakeholders. Current construction is progressing on 17 major sites, with work continuing on the dam’s abutment and the completion of the downstream access bridge.
Ghani urged the consultants and contractors to accelerate their efforts to meet the project’s 2028 completion deadline. The Diamer Basha Dam will feature a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 million acre-feet, irrigating 1.23 million acres of land, and a power generation capacity of 4,500 MW, producing 18 billion units annually.
In a subsequent session, Chairman Ghani held a Jirga with Diamer and Upper Kohistan elders to discuss confidence-building measures for local resettlement and development. He highlighted that PKR. 78.5 billion and PKR. 17.35 billion are allocated for development schemes under the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) for the Diamer Basha Dam and Dasu Hydropower Project, respectively. Employment opportunities for locals and additional support programs, including the House Hold (Chulha) Package and Area Development Programme, were also discussed.
