Summary Announcing to start construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam today is historic news
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Chairman and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa on Monday hailed the announcement related to beginning of Diamer Bhasha Dam’s construction as historic.
The CPEC Authority Chairman took to the twitter and said, “Announcing to start construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam today is historic news for all generations of Pakistan.
Announcing to start construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam today is historic news for all generations of Pakistan,a huge stimulus for our economy,create 16500 jobs,generate 4500 MW Hydel Power&irrigate 1.2 m acres agri land,enhance Tarbela Dam’s age by 35 yrs #pakistanmakingprogress
— Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimSBajwa) May 11, 2020
He further wrote, “a huge stimulus for our economy, create 16500 jobs, generate 4500 MW Hydel Power & irrigate 1.2 m acres agri land, enhance Tarbela Dam’s age by 35 yrs #pakistanmakingprogress.”
Earlier today, Prime Minister Imran Khan was informed that as per his directions all issues related to the critically important Diamer Bhasha Dam, including settlement, detailed roadmap for mobilization of financial resources etc. had been resolved and the project was ready for commencement of physical work.
The prime minister was briefed on the pending issues related to the construction of Bhasha Dam. It was also informed that the issues related to this important project have been resolved on his [Prime Minister] directions.
The meeting was informed that the Diamer Bhasha project had remained stuck for decades due to various reasons. It was told that the dam s construction would create 16,500 jobs and utilize huge quantity of cement and steel, which would give boost to the industry, besides its main purposes of water storage and producing 4500 MW of cheap and affordable electricity for meeting energy requirements of the country.
The 6.4 MAF (Million Acre Feet) water storage capacity of the dam would reduce the current water shortage in the country of 12 MAF to 6.1 MAF. It would add 35 years to the life of Tarbela Dam by reducing sedimentation. An area of 1.23 million acres of land would be brought under agriculture due to the dam.
It was informed that an amount of Rs78.5 billion would be spent for social development of the area around Diamer Bhasha Dam as part of the project. It would also be a major source of flood mitigation and save billions worth of damages caused by flood each year. The prime minister said ensuring water security was the foremost priority of the present government.
