Khursheed Shah reviewed construction Progress at Diamer Basha Dam
Federal Minister reviewing progress of Diamer Basha Dam Project. [Photo provided by Wapda]
GILGIT, Oct 27 (Gwadar Pro) - The Diamer Basha Dam Project (DBDP) is a significant project for the national economy, as this will store water for irrigated agriculture, help mitigate floods and generate environment-friendly and low-cost hydel electricity.
These views were expressed by Federal Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah while visiting DBDP being constructed by WAPDA on the River Indus, downstream of Chilas town.
According to an official statement, Shah reviewed the excavation at right abutment of the dam and the construction of the diversion system and permanent bridge. He directed the project management to expedite their efforts for the completion of the project as early as possible.
CEO DBDP along with consultants and the contractors of the project briefed the minister on the progress of the project. He was informed that construction was being carried out on 10 different sites, which include the excavation of dam abutments from the top, diversion tunnel, diversion canal, power intake, permanent access bridge and access roads.
Power China in a JV with FWO is constructing the MW-1 Dam of the project. Scheduled for completion in 2029, the Diamer Basha Dam will have a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 acre-feet (MAF) to irrigate 1.23 million acres of additional land. It will have an installed power generation capacity of 4,500 MW, and provide 18 billion units of green and clean hydel electricity to the National Grid per annum.
Khursheed Shah also inaugurated the 3 MW-Thak Hydel Power Station- a small powerhouse sufficient to fulfil energy requirements of 1500-1800 households. This has been constructed by WAPDA with a cost of Rs.1.309 billion as one of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). An independent 26-Km long transmission line has also been constructed with a cost of Rs.469.039 million for the evacuation of electricity from the Hydel Power Station to Harpan Das model village, Chilas.
