LAHORE, Feb 15 (APP):Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Muhammad Saeed Sunday visited under-construction Diamer-Basha Dam and Dasu Hydropower Project 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.
WAPDA spokesman told media here that during the visit, the Chairman directed the GMs, the Consultants and the Contractors of both the projects to adhere to the implementation plans in letter and spirit by accelerating construction work for completion of the Projects as per their schedules.
In the first leg, the Chairman had a detailed visit of Diamer-Basha Dam Project, being constructed on River Indus, 40 Km 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.
The GM/PD along with the Consultants and the Contractors briefed the Chairman 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, 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 levelling 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.
In the second leg, the Chairman reached Dasu Hydropower Project, being constructed across River Indus in Upper Kohistan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He visited in detail all key sites, which included Dam Pit, underground Power House and underground Transformer Cavern. The GM/PD, giving a run down of the progress, briefed the Chairman that construction work continued on 23 work fronts of the Project. Crushing and batching plants have been completed and are now in operation. Pouring of RCC for the Main Dam will start during the current year. The 132 KV Transmission Line, meant for providing stable supply of electricity during construction of the Main Dam, is in the final phase of testing and commissioning, which will be energized within days. Electricity generation from the Project will start in 2028. It was further briefed that 20.4 Km-Relocated Karakoram Highway (RKKH) 01 will also be completed this year with CPEC standards, as major structures including the tunnels are at advanced stage of completion.
The Chairman was also apprised of the CBMs undertaken by WAPDA for socio-economic empowerment of the locals. He was briefed that 31 development schemes of infrastructure, public health and education have so far been completed under Local Rural Area Development Programme, while remaining schemes are in progress. The Chairman also inaugurated 132 KV Grid Station at Dasu Hydropower Project.
The 4320 MW-Dasu Hydropower Project is planned to be completed in two stages. At present, WAPDA is constructing Stage-1 of 2160 MW, which will provide 12 billion of clean, green and economically affordable electricity to the national grid.