Diamer-Bhasha Dam

Diamer-Bhasha Dam
Location of Diamer-Bhasha Dam in Pakistan
Country	Pakistan
Location	Gilgit-Baltistan
Coordinates	35°31′10.2″N 73°44′21.1″E
Status	Preliminary construction
Construction began	18 October 2011
Opening date	2023 (est.)
Construction cost	$14 billion (2013 est.)
Owner(s)	WAPDA
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity, roller-compacted concrete
Impounds	Indus River
Height	272 m (892 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity	10,000,000,000 m3 (8,107,132 acre⋅ft)
Active capacity	7,900,000,000 m3 (6,404,634 acre⋅ft)
Power Station
Turbines	12 x 375 MW
Installed capacity	4,500 MW
Annual generation	19,028 GWh (est.)

Diamer-Bhasha Dam is a concrete-filled gravity dam, in the preliminary stages of construction, on the River Indus in Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan. Its foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani of Pakistan on 18 October 2011. Upon completion, Diamer-Bhasha Dam would be the highest roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam in the world. The dam site is situated near a place called "Bhasha" in Gilgit-Baltistan's Diamer District, hence the name.

Upon completion, Diamer-Bhasha Dam would (i) produce 4,500 megawatts of electricity through environmentally clean hydropower generation; (ii) store an extra 8,500,000 acre-feet (10.5 km³) of water for Pakistan that would be used for irrigation and drinking; (iii) extend the life of Tarbela Dam located downstream by 35 years; and (iv) control flood damage by the River Indus downstream during high floods.

However, in response to the push towards side-lining Kalabagh Dam in favour of Basha, Engineer Anwer Khurshid stated that "Bhasha dam is no substitute for Kalabagh dam not because of its altitude which is high enough, but because no irrigation canals can be taken out from it because of the hilly terrain. No canals can be taken out from any dam on the Indus except from Kalabagh Dam."

It will have a height of 272 meters spillway with fourteen gates each 11.5 m x 16.24 m. The gross capacity of the reservoir will be 8,100,000 acre-feet (10.0 km³), with a live storage of 6,400,000 acre-feet (7.9 km³). Two underground power houses are being proposed, one on each side of the main dam having six turbines on each side with total installed capacity 4500 MW.

Background

In January 2006, the Government of Pakistan under President Pervez Musharraf announced the decision to construct 5 multi-purpose storage dams in the country during next 10–12 years. According to the plan, Diamer-Bhasha Dam project was proposed to be built in the first phase. In November 2008, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council formally approved the project. Council of Common Interests Pakistan, a constitutional body representing the provinces, also approved the construction of the dam. The Prime Minister of Pakistan laid the foundation stone of the project on 18 October 2011.

Construction and Financial Matters

In November 2008, the cost of the Diamer-Bhasha dam was estimated at $12.6 billion. and it will have a storage capacity of 8,100,000 acre-feet (10.0 km³). However, it will have a power generation capacity of 4,500 megawatts.

An amount of Rs 27.824 billion is required for the acquisition of land & resettlement of the people to be affected in the wake of the construction of the dam. Under the proposed project, Rs 10.76 billion will be spent for the acquisition of agriculture-barren land, tree & nurseries and Rs 1.638 billion to be utilized for properties and infrastructure, Rs 8.8 billion for establishment of nine model villages, Rs 62.119 million for pay & allowances for administrative arrangements, and Rs.17.7 million for contingent administrative expenses. The project also includes an escalation cost of Rs 2.234 billion at the rate of 6 per cent per year for five years and interest of Rs 4.309 billion during the implementation at the rate of 9 per cent.

Detailed drawings of the dam were completed by March 2008. As of August 2012, the project faced several setbacks due to major sponsors backing out from financing the project, as World Bank and Asian Development Bank both refused to finance the project as according to them its location is in disputed territory and asked Pakistan to get a NOC from neighboring India.

On 20 August 2013, Finance Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar claimed to have convinced the World Bank (WB) and the Aga Khan Development Network to finance the Diamer-Bhasha Project without the requirement of NOC from India. He also said that the Asian Development Bank, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme(AKRSP) and Aga Khan Foundation had agreed to become lead finance manager for the project.

On 27 August 2013, Pakistan's Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar said that work would start on both Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha Dams simultaneously. He also said that Diamer-Bhasha project would take 10–12 years to complete.

On November 7, 2013 the Chairman of WAPDA Syed Raghib Abbas Shah claimed that his department has received 17,000 acres of land at the cost of PKR 5.5 billion from Government of Gilgit-Baltistan and the Ismaili Community for the construction of the project.

On 14 November 2017, Pakistan dropped its bid to have the dam financed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework as China placed strict conditions including on the ownership of the project. China had projected the cost of the dam to be $14 billion and for securitisation of its investment China wanted Pakistan to pledge another operational dam to it.

On July 4th, 2018, the Supreme Court of Pakistan directed the government to begin construction on the dam, as well as the Mohmand Dam, to resolve a watershortage. The Chief Justice of the court gave a donation of 1 million Pakistani rupees for the construction of the two dams. On July 6th, the government of Pakistan set up a fund for the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam.

Design

The project is located on Indus River, about 315 km upstream of Tarbela Dam, 165 km downstream of the Northern Area capital Gilgit and 40 km downstream of Chilas.

• Main Dam:
  • Maximum Height: 272 meters
  • Type: roller compacted concrete (RCC)
• Diversion System:
  • Tunnels: 2
  • Canals: 1
  • Cofferdam: Upstream and Downstream
• Main Spillway:
  • Gates: 9
  • Size: 16.5×15.0 m
• Reservoir Level: 1160 m
• Min Operation Level Elevation: 1060 m
• Gross Capacity: 7,300,000 acre-feet (9.0 km³)
• Live Capacity: 6,400,000 acre-feet (7.9 km³)
• Outlets:
  • Intermediate Level:8
  • Low Level: 4
• Powerhouses:
  • No. of Powerhouses: 2
  • Total Installed Capacity: 4,500 MW
  • Location of Powerhouses: one each on right and left side
  • No. of Generator Units: 8
  • Capacity/Unit: 560 MW
  • Average Power Generation; 16,500 GWh
• Estimated Cost: US $14 Billion (2013 Estimate)

Purpose and function

The main purpose of the dam is water storage, irrigation and generation of electricity

• Production of 4,500 megawatts of electricity by harnessing the water.
• Storage of an extra 8,500,000 acre-feet (10.5 km³) of water for Pakistan that would be used for irrigation and drinking
• Extend the life of Tarbela Dam located downstream by 35 years
• Control flood damage by the River Indus downstream during high floods
• Availability of about 6,400,000 acre-feet (7.9 km³) annual surface face water storage for 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 environmentally damaging thermal power
• Short and long term employment opportunities, particularly to locals, during the construction (15,000 jobs) and operation phase
• Creation of massive infrastructure leading to overall socio-economic uplift of the area and standard of living of people

Environmental impact and resettlement

Environmental Impact:
• Villages affected: 31
• Houses affected: 4,100
• Population affected: 35,000
• Agricultural land submerged: 1,500 acres (6.1 km²)
• Area under reservoir: 25,000 acres (100 km²)

Resettlement:
• Proposed new settlements: 9 model villages
• Population resettled: 28,000
• New infrastructure, roads, clean water supply schemes, schools, health centres, electricity supply, etc.
• Development of new tourism industry in area around reservoir (including hotels, restaurants, water sports, etc.)
• Development of hitherto non-existent fresh-water fishing industry based on newly created reservoir

See also

• List of dams and reservoirs in Pakistan

External links

• WAPDA Info Sheet