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. The proposed dam would have a maximum height of 270 m, and impound a reservoir of about 7,500,000 acre feet (9.25×109 m3), with live storage of more than 6,400,000 acre feet (7.89×109 m3). Mean annual discharge of Indus River at the site is 50,000,000 acre feet (6.2×1010 m3). Thus the dam will impound 15% of the annual river flow. The dam project would cover an area of 110 km2 and extend 100 km upstream of the damsite up to Raikot Bridge on Karakoram Highway (KKH).
Need for the Project
Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. Pakistan today is among one of the World’s fastest growing population, now estimated as over 150 million. Due to lack of large river regulation capability through sizeable storages, the country is already facing serious shortages in food grains. Given the present trend, Pakistan could soon become one of the food deficit countries in the near future. Therefore, there is a dire need to build storages for augmenting agriculture production.
Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma reservoirs have already lost about 5,000,000 acre feet (6.2×109 m3) due to sedimentation. It is estimated that by year 2012, this loss would increase to 6,000,000 acre feet (7.4×109 m3), almost equal to the original combined capacity of Mangla and Chashma reservoirs. Due to complete stoppage of any sizable multi-purpose storage development after commissioning of Tarbela Dam in 1976, sustainability of existing irrigated agriculture of Pakistan is in serious jeopardy. The President has taken a very bold initiative by taking the decision to construct Diamer Basha Dam Project.
The present demand of electricity in country is above 17,000 MW, which is estimated to cross 22,000 MW by the year 2010. A large-scale injection of power thus becomes inevitable. Hydropower will provide the required electricity at affordable price. Contribution of 4500 MW power from Diamer Basha Dam will go a long way in alleviating this situation.
Project Benefits
Availability of about 6,400,000 acre feet (7.89×109 m3) 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 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.
Environment & Resettlement*
Salient Features
LOCATION: The Dam will be located on the River Indus in Northern Pakistan, about 315 km upstream of Tarbela Dam, 165 km downstream of the Northern Areas capital of Gilgit and 40 km downstream of Chilas.
MAIN DAM Maximum Height: 270 m Type Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC)
Need for the Project
Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. Pakistan today is among one of the World’s fastest growing population, now estimated as over 150 million. Due to lack of large river regulation capability through sizeable storages, the country is already facing serious shortages in food grains. Given the present trend, Pakistan could soon become one of the food deficit countries in the near future. Therefore, there is a dire need to build storages for augmenting agriculture production.
Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma reservoirs have already lost about 5,000,000 acre feet (6.2×109 m3) due to sedimentation. It is estimated that by year 2012, this loss would increase to 6,000,000 acre feet (7.4×109 m3), almost equal to the original combined capacity of Mangla and Chashma reservoirs. Due to complete stoppage of any sizable multi-purpose storage development after commissioning of Tarbela Dam in 1976, sustainability of existing irrigated agriculture of Pakistan is in serious jeopardy. The President has taken a very bold initiative by taking the decision to construct Diamer Basha Dam Project.
The present demand of electricity in country is above 17,000 MW, which is estimated to cross 22,000 MW by the year 2010. A large-scale injection of power thus becomes inevitable. Hydropower will provide the required electricity at affordable price. Contribution of 4500 MW power from Diamer Basha Dam will go a long way in alleviating this situation.
Project Benefits
Availability of about 6,400,000 acre feet (7.89×109 m3) 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 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.
Environment & Resettlement*
Salient Features
LOCATION: The Dam will be located on the River Indus in Northern Pakistan, about 315 km upstream of Tarbela Dam, 165 km downstream of the Northern Areas capital of Gilgit and 40 km downstream of Chilas.
MAIN DAM Maximum Height: 270 m Type Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC)
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