The government has procured land worth one billion dollars from its own resources for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, and work will start by the end of this year.
“After the Tarbella and Mangla dams, nothing was done for water storage, and today Pakistan has 30-day capacity. Upon completion of the Diamer-Bhasha, it will reach 90 days,” says a report quoting official sources in the ministry of planning, development and reforms on Wednesday.
Diamir-Bhasha Dam, one of the most important energy projects, is likely to be part of second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project would not only generate 4500 megawatts of electricity but would also serve as a huge water reservoir for Pakistan.
The foundation stone of the dam situated on the River Indus in Gilgit-Baltistan was laid on October 18, 2011. Upon completion, the dam would be the highest roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam in the world. The dam site is situated near a place called Bhasha in Gilgit Baltistan’s Diamir district, hence the name.
The dam would produce 4,500 megawatts of electricity through environmentally clean hydropower generation, store an extra 85,00,000 acre feet (10.5 km) of water for Pakistan that would be used for irrigation and drinking, extend the life of Tarbela Dam located downstream by 35 years, and control flood damage by the River Indus downstream during high floods.
In January 2006, the government announced the decision to construct five multi-purpose storage dams during the next 10-12 years. According to the plan, Diamir-Bhasha Dam project was proposed in the first phase. In November 2008, the executive committee of the National Economic Council formally approved the project. The Council of Common Interests also approved the construction of the dam.
The cost of the dam was estimated at $12.6 billion. Under the proposed project, Rs 10.76 billion will be spent for the acquisition of agriculture-barren land, tree and nurseries and Rs 1.638 billion to be utilised for properties and infrastructure, Rs 8.8 billion for the establishment of nine model villages, Rs 62.119 million for pay allowances for administrative arrangements, and Rs 17.7 million for contingent administrative expenses.
Detailed drawings of the dam were completed by March 2008. The project is located on the Indus River, about 315 km upstream of Tarbela Dam, 165 km downstream of the northern area capital Gilgit and 40 km downstream of Chilas.
