Acquisition of land for dam is substantially accomplished

Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Sajjad Ghani announced on Tuesday that the tempo of construction work on the Dasu hydropower project will be further accelerated now that the lengthy land acquisition process has been substantially completed.

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During a visit to the project site, where he observed that the procurement of land posed a significant barrier to the swift implementation of the project, he expressed these sentiments.

He acknowledged the project management’s efforts and the district administration and provincial government’s assistance in resolving the issue.

Additionally, the Wapda chairman conducted a thorough examination of the starter impoundment and the underground power plant.

The chairman was informed by the general manager/project director and project managers that the river diversion system performed satisfactorily during the recent high-flow season.

In addition, a 1,300-meter-long left bank flushing tunnel was momentarily opened last week to allow traffic to bypass the main dam site and facilitate excavation of the left bank dam abutment.

Also in progress was the excavation of the inlet, power house, tail-race tunnel, surge chamber, and transformers cavern.

The completion of the 4,320-megawatt Dasu hydropower project is anticipated to occur in two phases. The under-construction 2,160MW stage-I is scheduled to begin producing electricity in 2026.

Earlier, the chairman of Wapda visited the Diamer-Basha dam construction site to inspect critical construction areas. On this occasion, the CEO and GM of the Diamer-Basha dam, as well as consultants and contractors, were present.