Diamer-Bhasha Dam
Diamer-Bhasha Dam | |
---|---|
Country | India |
Location | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan |
Coordinates | 35°31′10.2″N 73°44′21.1″E / 35.519500°N 73.739194°E |
Status | Preliminary construction |
Opening date | 2028 (est.) |
Construction cost | USD 14 billion (2013 est.)[1] |
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 | 4800 MW |
Annual generation | 19.028 TWh (est.) |
Diamer-Bhasha Dam is a concreted-filled gravity dam, in the preliminary stages of construction, on the River Indus between Kohistan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Diamer district in Gilgit Baltistan, ( Pakistan occupied Kashmir ).The region is in dispute between India and Pakistan[2]. Its foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan on 1998. The dam site is situated near a place called "Bhasha", hence the name.
Upon completion, Diamer-Bhasha Dam would (i) produce 4800 megawatts of electricity through hydro-power generation; (ii) store an extra 10.5 cubic kilometres (8,500,000 acre⋅ft) 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 using Basha Dam to sideline the Kalabagh Dam, Engineer Anwer Khurshid has 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." [3]
It is planned to have a height of 272 meters spillway with fourteen gates each 11.5 m × 16.24 m. The gross capacity of the reservoir will be 10 cubic kilometres (8,100,000 acre⋅ft), with a live storage of 7.9 cubic kilometres (6,400,000 acre⋅ft). Two underground powerhouses are being proposed, one on each side of the main dam having six turbines on each side with a total installed capacity of 4500 MW.
As of 2020, the status of the dam is that the land has been acquired and the contract for the construction of the dam had been awarded to a joint-venture between the Pakistan Armed Forces and a Chinese enterprise.[4][5]
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, the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project was proposed to be built in the first phase.[6] 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.[7]
Timelines
- In 1980, construction of the dam was suggested.[8]
- In 1998, prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Shareef, inaugurated the dam project.[9]
- In 2004, the first feasibility report was prepared.
- In 2008, a revised feasibility report was prepared[10]
Construction and financial matters
In November 2008, the cost of the Diamer-Bhasha dam was estimated at $12.6 billion.[11] and it will have a storage capacity of 10 cubic kilometres (8,100,000 acre⋅ft). However, it will have a power generation capacity of 4500 megawatts.[12]
An amount of Rs 27, billion is required for the acquisition of land and 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 and 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 and allowances for administrative arrangements, and Rs 17.7 million for contingent administrative expenses.[13] 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.[14]
Detailed drawings of the dam were completed by March 2008.[6] 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.[15][16]
On 20 August 2013- Finance Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar claimed to have convinced the World Bank 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 and Aga Khan Foundation had agreed to become lead finance manager for the project.[1][17]
On 27 August 2013- Pakistan's Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar said that work would start on both Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha Dams simultaneously.[18] He also said that Diamer-Bhasha project would take 10–12 years to complete.[19]
On 7 November 2013- the Chairman of Water and Power Development Authority 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.[20][21][22]
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on December 5, 2016 approved, in principle, the financing plan for the Diamer-Bhasha dam and ordered the secretary of water and power to start physical work on the dam before the end of 2017.[23]
On 14 November 2017- Pakistan dropped its bid [24] to have the dam financed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 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 to secure its investment China wanted Pakistan to pledge another operational dam to it.
On July 4, 2018- the Supreme Court of Pakistan directed the government to begin construction on the dam, as well as the Mohmand Dam, to resolve a water shortage. Chief Justice Saqib Nisar of the court gave a donation of 1 million Pakistani rupees for the construction of the two dams. And set up a fund for the construction of the dam.[25] On July 6, the government of Pakistan set up a fund for the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam.[26] Fundraising through bank accounts and cellular companies was initiated for participation.
On 9 September 2018- a Water and Power Development Authority official revealed that at least 12 billion dollars are required to build Diamer-Bhasha Dam. 5 billion dollars are required to build infrastructure while another 7 billion dollars are required for the power generation.
On 1 November 2018- PM-CJP fund for Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams which was opened in beginning of 3rd Quarter of 2018 i.e. in January 2019 its funds have reached US$66.7 million (i.e. PKR 9.29 billion) approximately. The status is regularly updated on the Supreme Court of Pakistan.[27]
On 2 April 2020- it was revealed by WAPDA that Rs115.9 billion had been distributed for land acquisition of the project till February 2020.[28]
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: 9 cubic kilometres (7,300,000 acre⋅ft)
- Live Capacity: 7.9 cubic kilometres (6,400,000 acre⋅ft)
- Outlets:
- Intermediate Level:8
- Low Level: 4
- Powerhouses:
- Estimated Cost: US $14 Billion (2013 Estimate)[1]
Purpose and function
The main purpose of the dam is water storage, irrigation and generation of electricity.
- Store huge water for next Pakistani generation.
- Number of Trees arounds dam will be increase, so Global Climate Change will be Decrease.
- Production of 4500 megawatts of electricity by harnessing the water.
- Storage of an extra 10.5 cubic kilometres (8,500,000 acre⋅ft) 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 7.9 cubic kilometres (6,400,000 acre⋅ft) 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
This dam could not commence as 1/5 land still to be acquired for reaching total required of 37,500 acres (152 km2).
- 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: 4100
- Population affected: 35,000[29]
- Agricultural land submerged: 6.1 square kilometres (1,500 acres)
- Area under reservoir: 100 square kilometres (25,000 acres)
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
References
- ^ a b c "World Bank to finance USD 14 bln in Pakistani Dam". Kuwait News Agency. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ https://theprint.in/diplomacy/india-demands-pakistan-vacate-gilgit-baltistan-warns-against-material-changes-in-region/414060/
- ^ "CCI approves Kalabagh Dam". The Nation. 2012-06-30. Retrieved 2018-08-04.
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/1556951/rs442bn-accord-for-construction-of-diamer-bhasha-dam-signed
- ^ Kasuri, Fraaz Mahmud (2020-05-12). "Construction of dams is a must to provide affordable electricity: Imran Khan". The Wallet. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
- ^ a b "About Bhasha Dam". diamerbhasha.com. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
- ^ "PM lays Foundation Stone of Bhasha Dam". The News International. 1998. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
- ^ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45968574
- ^ https://tribune.com.pk/story/1964386/1-pml-n-claims-ownership-initiating-mohmand-dam/
- ^ https://tribune.com.pk/story/1964386/1-pml-n-claims-ownership-initiating-mohmand-dam/
- ^ "$12.6 billion Diamer-Bhasha Dam approved". PakTribune. 12 November 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ^ "Diamer-Bhasha Dam financing still on the table: ADB". Business Recorder. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ^ "Bhasha Dam ground-breaking today". The Nation (Pakistan). 18 October 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
- ^ "FBR proposes two schemes to whiten 'black' money". Daily Times (Pakistan). 4 October 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
- ^ "Donors to set aside Indian pressure over Diamer Bhasha dam: PEW". onlinenews.com.pk. 29 August 2012. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
- ^ "Diamer Bhasha Dam: Russia wants to take up project without bidding". The Express Tribune. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
- ^ "Progress report: Pakistan secures credit line for Diamer Bhasha Dam". The Express Tribune. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
- ^ "Work on Bhasha, Dasu Dams to start simultaneously". PakTribune. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ "Dasu power project gets precedence over Bhasha". Dawn. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
- ^ http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/business/07-Nov-2013/17-000-acres-transferred-to-wapda-for-bhasha-dam
- ^ "New beginnings: Progress made on Diamer Bhasha project - The Express Tribune". 7 November 2013.
- ^ "Rs 5.5b paid for Bhasha Dam land". Paktribune.
- ^ "PM Nawaz signs off on Diamer-Bhasha dam financing plan". Dawn.
- ^ Rana, Shahbaz (15 November 2017). "Pakistan stops bid to include Diamer-Bhasha Dam in CPEC". tribune.com.pk. The Express Tribune. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
- ^ "CJP donates Rs1m, directs govt to immediately construct two dams | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 2018-07-04. Retrieved 2018-07-16.
- ^ "Govt to set up Diamer-Bhasha, Mohmand Dam Fund | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 2018-07-07. Retrieved 2018-07-16.
- ^ website
- ^ https://www.urdupoint.com/en/business/construction-work-on-diamer-basha-dam-to-be-s-881591.html
- ^ "Kick starting Diamer-Bhasha project". Dawn. 11 April 2011. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.