The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has finalised the main contracts of the civil works of Dasu hydropower project to capitalise on hydropower resource to add low-cost electricity to the national grid as per the federal government’s resolve, said WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Muzammil Hussain during his visit to the project site Monday.
Subsequent to the signing of the agreements, construction on main works of the 2160 MW stage-I of Dasu hydropower project will commence soon. Likewise, the contractor for civil works of the 128 MW Keyal Khawar hydropower project has also started mobilising to the site to carry out construction work on the project.
During the visit to Dasu project, the chairman expressed satisfaction that work on already-awarded three contracts to develop infrastructure in the project area has initiated, which includes relocation of Karakoram Highway in the project area worth Rs14.538 billion, construction of right bank access road worth Rs2.713 billion and construction of 132 KV transmission line from Duber Khwar hydel power station to Dasu worth Rs1.583 billion.
He emphasised upon the project management to complete these works within stipulated time. He also directed them to effectively engage the locals, and the district as well as the provincial administration to expedite the process of remaining land acquisition for the project.
The chairman emphasised that socio-economic uplift of the people in Dasu is WAPDA’s priority, wherein medical facility, educational institutions and improvement of road network will remain under the focus.
In his visit to the three hydel power stations—Khan, Allai and Duber Khwar—the chairman was briefed that these hydel power stations have contributed 4.861 billion units of electricity to the national grid sine their commercial operation.