LAHORE: Chairman Wapda Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (r) visited Diamer Basha Dam, being constructed on River Indus, 40km downstream of Chilas town. DG FWO Maj Gen Kamal Azfar accompanied him during the visit. CEO Diamer Basha Dam Company, GM/PD Diamer Basha Dam Project, CEO Diamer Basha Consultants Group, and representatives of the Contractors i.e. Power China and FWO were also present on the occasion.
He was told that work was being done on access roads, the top-down excavation of the dam abutments, a diversion tunnel, a diversion canal, a power intake, and other things. The project is anticipated to be finished in 2029.
It is significant to highlight that Diamer Basha Dam, with a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 MAF, will be able to irrigate 1.23 million additional acres of land. The building of the Diamer Basha Dam will also add 35 more years to the life of the Tarbela Dam.
A total of Rs78.5 billion has been made aside for CBMs in the project zone for the benefit of the locals. In addition, the project has so far given 4,100 locals in the project region work opportunities. Opportunities for local employment will increase as the project develops.
