Wapda will divert the direction of the River Indus at the point of Diamer Basha Dam on November 30, 2023, to start the work on the dam project, reported on Friday. After the diversion, the Indus River will rejoin its natural course downstream of the main dam site. The diversion is one of the most important activities to initiate this mega project. Through this digression, the flow of the Indus River will be diverted to a tunnel. Diamer Basha Dam is being constructed on the River Indus, 40 km downstream of Chilas. The upstream starter (coffer) dam to facilitate river diversion under stage 1 has been completed, while work on the downstream starter (coffer) dam is expected to be completed this month for stage 1 diversion. Diamer Basha Dam has a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 MAF to irrigate 1.23 million acres of additional land. The power generation capacity of the project stands at 4,500 MW, with annual energy of 18 billion units green and clean hydel electricity. A sum of Rs.78.5 billion is being spent on resettlement of affectees and CBMs in health, education, and infrastructure development.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)