Islamabad: Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is preparing to commence the diversion of the Swat River at the Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project, as reported on August 13.
As per details, the project team is expected to begin the river diversion after finalising the river-closure-dyke within the next few days. Despite the challenges presented by the high-flow season, significant efforts are being made to achieve this key milestone. Chairman WAPDA Engr. Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) recently visited the Mohmand Dam project site to review construction progress.
During his visit, he inspected various aspects of the project, including the diversion tunnels’ outlets and inlets, the powerhouse, spillway, and power intake. He was briefed that the concrete lining of diversion tunnel 3/1 is complete and its inlet structure is prepared for the diversion. Progress is also being made on excavation, rock support for the powerhouse and power intake, and concrete work at the spillway. Additionally, dam fill material has been sent to China for large-scale tri-axial testing as scheduled.
In a progress review meeting with the WAPDA team, consultants, and contractors, Chairman Ghani discussed the river diversion plan, quarries development, and the main dam’s construction schedule. He stressed the importance of adhering to high-quality standards throughout the project. The Mohmand Dam, being constructed across the Swat River in the Mohmand District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, will be the 5th highest concrete-face rock-fill dam (CFRD) in the world and Pakistan’s tallest CFRD.
The project is slated for completion in 2026-27. It is designed to be a multipurpose facility, providing water storage for agriculture, flood control, urban water supply to Peshawar, and generating 800 MW of green, affordable hydel electricity. The dam will store 1.29 million acre-feet (MAF) of water, support irrigation for 18,237 acres of new land, and provide 300 million gallons of water daily to Peshawar. The project is expected to deliver annual benefits estimated at PKR. 51.6 billion.
