By SKM
February 15, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Chairman WAPDA, Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed (Retd), on Sunday visited the under-construction Diamer Basha Dam and Dasu Hydropower Project to review progress, with officials confirming that roller-compacted concrete (RCC) works on the main dams of both projects will commence this year.
During the visits, Chairman Saeed directed project teams, consultants, and contractors to strictly follow implementation plans and accelerate construction to ensure timely completion.
At Diamer Basha, located 40 km downstream of Chilas on the River Indus, the Chairman inspected key sites including the dam pit, left and right abutments, downstream coffer dam, power intake, flushing tunnel, guide wall, RCC batching plant, and laboratory. Officials reported that excavation at the left abutment and dam pit has been substantially completed, while RCC trials for the main dam have been successfully conducted. Placement of RCC on the main dam is expected to start this year, with overall completion scheduled for 2030.
Chairman Saeed also met local Ulema to review Community Benefit Measures (CBMs) aimed at socio-economic uplift of the project-affected areas. Updates shared included the completion of Cadet College Chilas, 61% progress on Harpan Das Model Village with ongoing infrastructure works, the awarding of a water supply contract for Chilas town, and bidding in progress for a Rural Health Centre at Shatial in Upper Kohistan.
Once completed, Diamer Basha Dam will store 8.1 MAF of water, irrigate 1.2 million acres, and generate 4,500 MW of low-cost, environmentally friendly electricity, supplying 18 billion units annually to the national grid.
In Upper Kohistan, Chairman Saeed visited the Dasu Hydropower Project, inspecting the dam pit, underground powerhouse, and transformer cavern. The project team reported that construction is ongoing across 23 work fronts, with crushing and batching plants now operational. RCC placement for the main dam is set to begin this year, while a 132 KV transmission line providing power for construction is in final testing and will soon be energized. Stage-1 electricity generation is expected to start in 2028.
The Chairman was also briefed on the 20.4 km Relocated Karakoram Highway (RKKH-01), which is nearing completion with tunnels and major structures constructed to CPEC standards. CBMs at Dasu include 31 completed development schemes in infrastructure, education, and public health, with remaining projects underway. Chairman Saeed inaugurated the 132 KV grid station at the site.
The 4,320 MW Dasu project is being built in two stages, with Stage-1 delivering 2,160 MW of green, affordable electricity to the national grid, supplying 12 billion units annually. Chairman Saeed emphasized the strategic importance of both projects for Pakistan’s water, energy, and food security, urging stakeholders to maintain momentum and adhere to project timelines. Ends
