Islamabad: Water and Power Development Authority Chairman Lt. General (R) Muzammil Hussain on Tuesday (May 19) revealed that the government will spend PKR 78.5 billion on the rehabilitation of people affected by the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, according to a news source. He shared this information with the media during his visit to the project site.
Reportedly, the funds will be spent on ensuring the economic and social uplift of the people who surrendered their land so that the this dam project could be developed — with the initiative considered to be of paramount importance for the country. In addition, the government has also launched several development schemes in the area, with 44 of these projects having already been completed.
During his speech, the WAPDA chairman further mentioned that the project’s development would create employment opportunities for 16,000 people, and that it would play a decisive role in providing economic stability to the local population. He added said that the Diamer Bhasha Dam, once completed, would change the economic face of Pakistan; marking the start of a new era for the country and its citizens.
As per the details available, the dam will be able to store up to 8.1 million acre feet of water, and will produce 4,500 megawatts of electricity. Moreover, the project is being developed through a joint venture of the Frontier Works Organisation and a Chinese firm named Power China — with the government having awarded the PKR 442 billion contract on May 13. Additionally, the project’s consultancy contract has been awarded to a NESPAK-led joint venture.
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