PM Ordered to Complete Diamer Bhasha Dam Project Till 2026

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday visited the site of the Diamer Bhasha Dam Project. During the inspection of the pace of the work, he directed the concerned authorities to expedite the work on the execution of the project. He urged to complete the work in 2026 rather than the scheduled time of 2029. Diamir Basha Dam is a concrete-filled dam on the Indus River between Kohistan District of KP Province and Diamir District of Gilgit Baltistan. Once completed it will be an 8 million acre-feet reservoir with around 4500 mega watt electricity production capacity. The dam would not only provide much-needed electricity to the national grid but also serve to store water for irrigation purposes. The dam would also help increase the life of Terbela Dam and above all help in controlling the flood damages.

Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman retired Lt General Muzammil Hussain briefed the PM on the ongoing activities on the project. He was also informed about the obstacles that have been sorted out by the KP and GB administrations. While speaking on the occasion the PM gave the credit for the Diamir Basha Dam to the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for launching the mega project in 2016. The PM was accompanied by another PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Marriyum Aurangzeb, and Khawaja Asif. The PM said on the occasion “Some of the problems were resolved by the Wapda chairman and his team very speedily. I am sure that all of you are going to work as a team and make efforts for the biggest energy project and complete it as early as possible.”

The PM said that he was aware of the hardness of the area where the execution of the project was not that easy yet he was glad to hear that the funds for the project were being arranged from international financing institutions. He added that the project after completion would help boost the economy and make the country prosperous and progressive. PM also appreciated Pakistan Wapda Chinese companies and FWO for their untiring efforts on the project. The premier said that Dasu Dam is also on the way toward completion which would help a great deal in overcoming energy crises in the country. The PM also announced the construction of a 13 km long tunnel on Babuser top.