2.       PREVIOUS STUDIES

Initial Feasibility Report of Diamer Basha Dam Project was prepared by Canadian Consultants “Montreal Engineering Company (MONENCO) during 1981-1984. WAPDA appointed Local Consultants in December, 1989 for up-gradation of the Initial Feasibility Report.  The work on the project was stopped in January 1990. In 2002  WAPDA appointed  M/S NEAC Consultants, a joint venture consisted of  local &  foreign firms, NESPAK (Lead Firm) for up-gradation of  the Initial Feasibility Study. The Upgraded Feasibility Report of the Project was submitted by M/s NEAC on 31st August, 2004.  International Panel of Experts declared that the Project is technically feasible.  The contract for review of Feasibility Studies, Detailed Engineering Design and preparation of Tender Documents awarded to M/S Diamer Basha Consultants (DBC) (Joint Venture of local & foreign firms, with M/s Lahmeyer a leading firm). The DBC mobilized on  5th September,  2005 and the  assignment is scheduled to be completed by June, 2008.

3.       PRE-REQUISITE ACTIVITIES

Following are the pre-requisite activities:

• Construction of  a new bridge at Thakot, on River Indus, as the exiting bridge can not sustain the anticipated transportation  load during construction of DBDP.

• 323 Km of  Karakorum Highway (KKH) from Havalian to Dam site is to be Up-graded by NHA for transportation of heavy machinery & equipment.

• 100 Km of KKH will be submerged due to impounding of reservoir, this portion is to be re-located on higher elevation.

• Land acquisition. 

5.       PROJECT BENEFITS

• Availability of about 6.4 MAF annual surface water storage of supplementing irrigation supplies during low flow periods

• Harnessing of renewable source of clean and cheap energy through installed capacity of 4500 MW

• Reduction of dependence on thermal power, thus saving foreign exchange

• Employment opportunity, particularly to the locals, during the construction and operation

• Creation of massive infrastructure leading to overall socio-economic uplift of the area and standard of living of people

• The Project will pay back its cost in 10 years

• Sediment Controls;

• Flood mitigation.

6.       PRESENT STATUS

• Detailed Engineering Design and Tenders Documents completed by M/s DBC on June 30, 2008. M/s DBC have been asked to continue the consultancy service beyond June 30, 2008 to complete left over and additional works.

• Notice for prequalification of contractors for Lot-1,2 & 3 have been issued. Applications from International/local contractors are being received. Last date has been extended upto October 07, 2008.

• Central Development working party (CDWP) has approved the First Phase i.e. settlement and land acquisition of Diamer Basha Dam Project at a cost of Rs. 116 Billion in the meeting held on 18.09.2008.

• Micro Seismic Monitoring System has been installed to monitor seismic activities in the project area. Data retrieval and interpretation is under progress.

• Meteorological station is being established at Dam site.

• Resettlement action plan and Environmental Management plan are ready.

• Mix design for RCC is under progress at CMTL Wapda Lahore.

• Construction of comprehensive model at Nandipur is completed.

• Arrangement of finances from the foreign Donor agencies for the construction of the project is under process.

• PC-I for construction of Thakot Bridge was approved by GOP on December 21, 2006 and the work is being carried out by NHA.

Expenditure (US$ Million)

Local

8. LOCATION OF DIAMER BASHA DAM SITE