News
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Rs 700 million released for Bhasha Dam land acquisition
Staff Report
LAHORE: The government has released an initial sum of Rs 700 million to acquire land for the Diamer Bhasha Dam, while groundbreaking of WAPDA offices and colonies is expected next month, read a statement issued after a meeting between Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah and WAPDA Chairman Shakil Durrani on Monday.
WAPDA, which was the first recipient of the allocation, has handed it over to deputy commissioner Diamer for land acquisition. Referring to the water and hydropower potential of Gilgit-Baltistan, Shah said that development of these resources through projects like Diamer Bhasha Dam would not only play a pivotal role in strengthening the national economy but also pave the way for socioeconomic uplift of the area.
WAPDA chairman, who visited the Diamer Bhasha Dam site earlier in the day, said it would be the largest project in the country’s history. It would store 8.1 million-acre feet (MAF) of water and generate 4,500MW of low-cost electricity. In addition to providing water for agriculture, the project will also contribute 18 billion units of electricity per annum to the national grid, he added.
Besides Diamer Basha, Satpara, Bunji, Dasu, Shyok and other water and hydropower projects, located in Gilgit-Baltistan, were also discussed in the meeting. Shah assured his government’s support and cooperation to WAPDA in execution of these projects. Durrani presented Rs 0.5 million cheque to the GB chief minister to help flood victims in Chilas. In the second leg of his two-day tour, Durrani also visited Bunji hydropower project as well as Shyok and Satpara dams. Senior USAID officials accompanied him during the visit. Officials briefed him of the progress made on the projects. He was told that the feasibility study of the 7,100MW Bunji hydropower project had been completed.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk