LAHORE: Federal Minister for Water Resources Muhammad Faisal Vawda has said that the Diamer Basha Dam project is progressing well despite the fact that Covid-19 pandemic has slowed down routine life the world over.
Following award of the contract last month, the activities on this phenomenal project have been continuing at a good pace that reflects the commitment of the incumbent government for construction of mega dams to avert looming water crisis in the country and add low-cost hydel electricity to the national grid, he said.
He was presiding over a meeting at WAPDA House here on Wednesday to review the implementation plan of Mega Hydel Projects Diamer Basha Dam. Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Muzammil Hussain, WAPDA Member (Water) and General Manager (Diamer Basha Dam Project) Amir Bashir Chaudhry, and representatives of the consultants and the contractors attended the meeting.
The federal minister directed the project authorities, consultants and contractors to adhere to the timelines specified in the plan. It was disclosed that the Diamer Basha Dam project was being pursued vigorously. There is a massive build-up of machinery and plants at the site as the minister and the WAPDA chairman pushed the mobilization.
The WAPDA Chairman, dilating upon the construction schedule, briefed about the major milestones of the implementation plan. He apprised the meeting that the contactors have been mobilized to the site soon after signing of the contract while construction work on the main dam will start very soon. He added the works for infrastructure development in the project area is being carried out at a good pace. The Chairman said that WAPDA is committed to completing Diamer Basha Dam in accordance with the stipulated time frame. It is pertinent to mention that the dam will provide water for agriculture and low-cost hydel electricity for economic development besides mitigating floods in the country.
The project has a gross storage capacity of 8.1million acre feet (MAF) and power generation capacity of 4500 megawatt (MW), with annual generation of 18.1 billion units per annum. Construction of the project will enhance the life of Tarbela Dam by 35 years.
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