RCC Work to Begin After Trial Completion
The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) announced preparations for roller-compacted concrete (RCC) work on the Diamer-Bhasha Dam. This crucial phase is scheduled to begin in early 2026, following the completion of ongoing trials and excavation on the foundation and abutments. Officials confirmed that groundwork will end within this year, paving the way for the next milestone.
WAPDA Chairman Reviews Progress on Site
On Tuesday, Wapda Chairman retired Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed visited the dam site, located 40 kilometers downstream of Chilas. During the inspection, he reviewed activities at the crushing plant, diversion tunnel, dam pit, RCC trial section, and conveyor belt tunnel. He emphasized the importance of the timely execution of each segment to keep the project on track.
Call for Acceleration and Proactive Measures
General Saeed advised contractors to deploy additional resources to accelerate the construction pace. He also urged WAPDA teams and consultants to adopt proactive strategies for removing bottlenecks that might cause unnecessary delays. In addition, he emphasized strong coordination to meet deadlines and deliver quality work on time.
Security and Social Responsibility Projects
Security arrangements for the dam project were reviewed during the visit. The chairman also visited Chilas Cadet College, which WAPDA built at a cost of Rs 2.1 billion as part of its corporate social responsibility. Moreover, WAPDA has already spent Rs 78.5 billion on resettlement and development schemes in the region. These efforts include health, education, and infrastructure projects aimed at uplifting local communities.
World’s Highest RCC Dam with Huge Benefits
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam will stand 272 meters high, making it the tallest RCC dam worldwide. It will store 8.1 million acre-feet of water and irrigate 1.23 million acres of farmland. Furthermore, with an installed capacity of 4,500 megawatts, the dam will add 18 billion units of clean and affordable electricity to the national grid each year.
