Yet another milestone achieved in the implementation of 969-MW Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP), as Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has successfully completed dam diversion tunnel of the project in recorded time. The half-a-kilometre long tunnel has been completed at weir site in two years at a cost of Rs 492 million to divert the River Neelum.
As on today, 25 percent water of the River Neelum is flowing through the tunnel, while the whole river will be diverted after four days. Subsequently, construction of the main dam will be started. It is pertinent to mention that construction work on the other components including adits and main tunnels is also in full swing and 16-kilometre adits and main tunnels have already been completed.
After completion of the dam, a power unit of 50 MW will be installed in the dam diversion tunnel. This 50 MW generation will be in addition to the designed 969-MW capacity of the project. It is pertinent to mention that Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project is a part of Wapda's low cost generation programme, being implemented on priority.
The project is being constructed over the rivers Neelum and Jhelum in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Overall completion of the project is scheduled to be completed in 2016. The project will contribute about 5.15 billion units of electricity annually to the National Grid. Annual benefits of the project have been estimated at Rs 30 billion.
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