Rs 13.7b allocated for Diamer Bhasha Dam

Pakistan

Rs 13.7b allocated for Diamer Bhasha Dam

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4500 MW-Diamer Basha Dam Project is being implemented on priority, says Wapda chief.

22 October,2012 09:07 pm

Raghib Shah said the federal government has allocated about Rs.13.78 billion for the project during the fiscal year 2012-13.The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Raghib Shah expressed these views while talking to Gilgit Baltistan Works Minister Bashir Ahmed, Health Minister Haji Gulber Khan and Taxation & Minerals Minister Muhammad Naseer Khan, who called on him today.The Chairman said that as many as 14 local contracts had already been awarded and construction work on WAPDA offices, colonies, contractors’ camp, road infrastructure etc. in the project area was in full swing.He further said that the process to acquire land for the project both in Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had also being started while a sum of Rs.6.85 billion had been paid to the respective governments till June 2012 for the purpose.The Chairman said that the multi-purpose Diamer Basha Dam Project would usher in an era of prosperity and development in the country, particularly in Gilgit Baltistan.He said that a lucrative compensation package for affectees of the project had been devised in accordance with international standards.The Gilgit Baltistan ministers assured WAPDA Chairman of their full support in implementation of the project. Discussing the matters relating to the project, they also apprised him of the demands of the locals. The Chairman said that WAPDA would look into the matter sympathetically within the rules.It is pertinent to mention that Diamer Basha Dam Project is located in Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On completion, the project will store 8.1 million acre feet of water in addition to generating about 20 billion units of low-cost hydel electricity every years.