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.