CHILAS, September 9: The Diamer Basha Dam Project is set to achieve another major milestone as roller-compacted concrete (RCC) works on the main dam are scheduled to commence in early 2026, following completion of RCC trials and excavation of the abutments and foundation pit later this year.
Chairman WAPDA Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed (Retd) visited the project site, accompanied by DG FWO Maj Gen Abdul Sami, CEO Diamer Basha Dam Company, senior project officials, consultants, and contractors. He inspected key sites including the crushing plant, diversion tunnel, coffer dams, RCC batching plant, and trial section. Officials briefed him that construction is progressing simultaneously on 13 work fronts, with the river diversion system operating successfully during the high-flow season.
The Chairman directed contractors to mobilize additional resources to accelerate progress and urged WAPDA teams and consultants to adopt a proactive approach in resolving bottlenecks. Security measures for the project were also reviewed.
As part of its community development initiatives, WAPDA has completed Cadet College Chilas at a cost of Rs. 2.1 billion and spent Rs. 78.5 billion on resettlement, healthcare, education, and infrastructure in the project area. Priority is being given to local employment opportunities.
Upon completion, Diamer Basha Dam will stand as the world’s tallest RCC dam at 272 meters. It will store 8.1 MAF of water for irrigating 1.23 million acres, while its 4,500 MW installed capacity will deliver 18 billion units of clean, low-cost electricity annually to the national grid.
