The Diamer Basha Dam being built by the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) on the River Indus is a significant project for the national economy, said Federal Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah on a recent visit to the project site.
The Federal Minister reviewed excavation at right abutment of the dam and construction work on diversion system and permanent bridge during the visit. He was also updated on progress of construction, with work being carried out on 10 different sites, which include excavation of dam abutments from the top, diversion tunnel, diversion canal, power intake, permanent access bridge and access roads.
Scheduled for completion in 2029, Diamer Basha Dam will have a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 MAF to irrigate 1.23 million acres of additional land. It will have installed power generation capacity of 4500MW, and provide 18 billion units of green and clean hydel electricity to the National Grid per annum.
The Minister later inaugurated the 3MW Thak Hydel Power Station, which will meet the energy requirements of 1500-1800 households. This has been constructed by WAPDA with a cost of Rs.1.309 billion as one of its Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). An independent 26km long transmission line has also been constructed at a cost of Rs.469.039 million for evacuation of electricity to Harpan Das model village, Chilas.
