Times of Islamabad

New developments reported over Diamer Bhasha Dam project

New developments reported over Diamer Bhasha Dam project

The government has acquired nearly 32,139 acres of land, out of the total37,419 acres required for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam, itemerged on Friday.

*APP*, citing sources, reported that almost 86% of the land for the megaproject has been acquired so far.

According to the publication, construction work on resettlement of themodel village at Harpan Das was in progress, and almost 95% of the work iscomplete.

*Read more:* *Diamer-Bhasha dam contract awarded to joint venture betweenPower China and FWO* link

The construction of Right Bank Periphery Road (RBPR) is in progress,sources told the publication.

The contracts for RBPR-01 and 02 have also been awarded, with 86.5% and 40%work, respectively completed on the projects.

The procurement of contractors for RBPR-03 and 04 is in progress, while the3.6 megawatts Thor Hydropower Project has been operational from June 26,2019, and electricity is being supplied to locals as a goodwill gesturetill the commencement of work on the main dam.

*Read more:* *China rejects India’s objection over Diamer-Bhasha dam*link

Meanwhile, the 3MW Thak Powerhouse was under construction with 94% progressmade on the project so far.

The government had spent Rs107.19 billion against land acquisition andresettlement from 2009-10 up to June 30, 2020, whereas Rs3.365bn had beenspent by WAPDA as bridge financing.

It is pertinent to mention, that the Diamer-Bhasha dam will provide waterfor agriculture, mitigating floods, and low-cost hydel electricity foreconomic development in the country.