132kV line to connect Dasu project: Wapda concerned at energisation delay

ISLAMABAD: The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) expressed its concerns over delaying the energisation of 132 kV transmission line to connect Dasu hydropower project, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.

Muhammad Arfan, Member (Power) Wapda, contended that he discussed the issue of delay in energisation of transmission line last month.

The physical completion of 132 kV transmission line is approaching fast and the government of Pakistan has very explicit directions for completion of Dasu project. Accordingly, the energisation of this 132 kV circuit is the pre-requisite for further acceleration of the construction activities at Dasu Hydropower Project.

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In a letter to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO), Member (Power) Wapda further submitted that this particular activity of electric supply from Dubair Khwar Hydropower Project to Dasu Hydropower Project was suspended earlier due to local social issues.

However, Wapda has successfully managed and resolved these issues amicably. Therefore, work on the installation of towers and conductor is moving forward. Now if after such hectic efforts, the commissioning and energisation of transmission line is not done in time, this will create a very untoward situation for all the stakeholders and at the level of the government.

The World Bank (WB) has requested the Government and WAPDA to make further efforts to ensure safety of the project workers and construction sites and reduce stoppage of work. Since 2017, protests by local communities have severely obstructed construction of the 132 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Dubair to Dasu. Without this line, construction of the dam cannot start.

The Bank further stated that backlog of houses that have been paid resettlement compensation has been completed but they are yet to be demolished. The WB has requested the Federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to monitor the effort by the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Upper Kohistan, to demolish the houses.

Houses corresponding to over 640 paid Enhanced Self-Managed Relocation (ESMR) cases have not been demolished yet. There has been no progress in the last six months, which has severely impeded the construction of Karakorum Highway Section 2 (KKH2) and Right Bank Access Road Section 2 (RAR2). District Police Office has agreed to accompany the workers tasked to demolish the houses to ensure their safety.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025