The federal government, through the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), is implementing multi-purpose Diamer Bhasha Dam as a priority project because of its numerous benefits for economy of the country. In addition to gigantic Diamer Bhasha Dam Project, the work on 4,320 mega watt (MW) Dasu Hydropower Project will also be commenced soon, as all pre-requisites including detailed engineering design of this project are almost completed.

This was stated by Wapda Chairman Syed Raghib Shah during his meeting with Tom Newton, Chief Operating Officer of a US-based firm Hydromine here at Wapda House on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman said that two projects offer excellent windows of opportunities to the financial institutions and construction firms for their high economic rate of return.Dilating upon the benefits, the Chairman said that Diamer Bhasha Dam, with gross water storage capacity of 8.1 million acre feet, will generate 4,500 MW electricity and contribute about 20 billion units of low-cost hydel electricity to the National Grid. He said that Dasu Hydropower Project will also provide more than 21 billion units electricity to the system.

The Chairman said that the USAID is now engaged with Wapda in arranging the funds for multi-billion dollar Diamer Bhasha Dam, while the World Bank has shown interest to provide financial assistance for Dasu Hydropower Project, construction of which is planned to be undertaken in various stages.
Later in a meeting with the delegation of Diamer Bhasha Dam Project affectees, the Chairman said that land acquisition, development of infrastructure in the project area and implementation of social action plan including construction of a model village for the displaced populace and other steps leading towards socio-economic well being of the affectees are continuing side by side

He further said that special emphasis is being laid on resettlement action plan, prepared in accordance with international safeguard policies and guidelines. A sum of Rs.68 billion has been earmarked for providing social services to the affectees in addition to Rs.42 billion for acquisition of land andRs.8 billion for compensation of assets, he added.The Chairman said that Wapda is fully cognizant of the ground situation. He assured the delegation that Wapda is making continuous efforts to redress the genuine grievances of all the stakeholders in line with international best practices and safeguard policies.