Historic Milestone Achieved at Diamer Basha Dam Project: Chairman WAPDA Witnesses Successful River Diversion
The Chairman was briefed about the ongoing construction progress at various sites of the project.
In a significant development for Pakistan’s energy and water infrastructure, Chairman of WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority), Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd), visited the Diamer Basha Dam Project today to review the operational river diversion system. The system, which became operational last week after the partial diversion of the mighty River Indus at the project site, marks a crucial step towards the completion of this mega multipurpose project.
The river diversion system, comprising a one-kilometer-long tunnel, a 0.857-kilometer-long canal, and strategically placed coffer dams, was executed successfully by WAPDA. Chairman Sajjad Ghani, accompanied by the CEO, GM/Project Director of Diamer Basha Dam, and representatives of the consultants and contractors, witnessed the seamless functioning of the diversion tunnel and canal during the visit.
The Chairman was briefed about the ongoing construction progress at various sites of the project, where work is progressing smoothly on 13 fronts simultaneously. The test-run of the diversion system proved its efficiency, with both the tunnel and canal operating satisfactorily.
WAPDA is now gearing up to achieve a historic milestone next week by plugging the upstream coffer dam, diverting the entire flow of the River Indus through the constructed diversion system. This significant feat will see the river bypassing the main dam site and rejoining its natural course after covering a distance of about 800 meters.
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Diamer Basha Dam, located 40 kilometers downstream of Chilas town, is a mega multipurpose project scheduled for completion in 2028. With a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 million acre-feet, the dam aims to irrigate 1.23 million acres of land. The power generation capacity of the project is an impressive 4,500 MW, contributing to an annual energy generation of 18 billion units.
The Diamer Basha Dam Project is one of the eight under-construction WAPDA projects slated for completion between 2024 and 2028-29. Collectively, these projects are expected to add about 10,000 MW of low-cost and environmentally friendly hydel electricity while storing 9.7 million acre-feet of water, reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable development and energy security.
