PESHAWAR: Chairman WAPDA Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed (Retd) visited under-construction Diamer Basha Dam and Dasu Hydropower Project on Sunday to review construction progress on the projects.
He was briefed by the authorities that roller-compacted-concrete (RCC) works on main dams of both Projects will commence this year, as pre-requisites are now heading towards completion at a faster pace.
During the visit, the Chairman directed the GMs, the consultants and the contractors of both projects to adhere to the implementation plans in letter and spirit by accelerating construction work for completion of the Projects as per their schedules.
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In the first leg, the Chairman had a detailed visit of Diamer Basha Dam Project, being constructed on River Indus, 40km downstream of Chilas town. He reviewed construction activities on major sites including power intake, dam pit, downstream coffer dam, left abutment, flushing tunnel, guide wall, RCC batching plant and laboratory.
Officials briefed him on site-wise achievements versus targets. At present, construction is being carried out on 20 work sites of the Project. Excavation work at the left abutment and dam pit (foundation) is substantially completed.
RCC trials for the main dam have also been conducted successfully. With completion of the right abutment’s excavation, placing of RCC for main dam will start during the current year. Completion of the dam is scheduled in 2030.
Later, the Chairman had a meeting with local Ulema. Progress on CBMs for uplift of the people in the Project area was reviewed during the meeting. It was briefed that a hefty amount is being spent on development schemes under the CBMs.
Cadet College Chilas has been completed. Progress on Harpan Das Model Village stands at about 61 percent, while leveling of plots and additional works of roads, water supply and sewerage system is in progress. Besides, contract has also been awarded for water supply scheme in Chilas town, while bidding is in process for construction of Rural Health Centre at Shatial in Upper Kohistan.
Diamer Basha Dam is a vital project for water, food and energy security of Pakistan. It will store 8.1 MAF to irrigate 1.2 million acres of additional land in the country. With installed generation capacity of 4500 MW, Diamer Basha Dam will provide 18 billion units of low-cost and environment-friendly electricity to the National Grid every year.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026