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Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project

It is an under-construction roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam on the River Indus in Gilgit-

Baltistan, 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 RCC dam in

the world. The dam site is situated near a place called "Bhasha" in Gilgit-Baltistan's Diamer

District, hence the name.

LOCATION

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_compacted_concretehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Indushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgit-Baltistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgit-Baltistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuf_Raza_Gilanihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamer_Districthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamer_Districthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamer_Districthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamer_Districthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamer_Districthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuf_Raza_Gilanihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgit-Baltistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgit-Baltistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Indushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_compacted_concrete

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Diamer Bhasha Dam Project (DBDP) is proposed to be located on the Indus River 315 km (195

miles) upstream of Tarbela Dam site; about 180 km (113 miles) below the town of Gilgit and

about 40 km (24 miles) downstream of Chilas, the district headquarter of Diamer in Gilgit -

Baltistan.

Why Diamer-Bhasha Dam ?

Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistans economy. Pakistan today is among one of the Worlds

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 (6.2109

m3) due to sedimentation. It is estimated that by year 2012, this loss would increase to

6,000,000 acre feet (7.4109 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.

Description of the Project

1. Feasibility StudiesInitial Feasibility Report of Diamer Basha Dam Project was prepared by Canadian

Consultants Montreal Engineering Company (MONENCO) during 1981-1984. WAPDA

appointed Local Consultants in December, 1989 for up-gradation of the Initial Feasibility

Report. The work on the project was stopped in January 1990 due to interference of local

people. WAPDA appointed M/S NEAC Consultants, a joint venture consisted of local &

foreign firms, NESPAK (Lead Firm) for up-gradation of the Initial Feasibility Study. TheUpgraded Feasibility Report of the Project was submitted by M/s NEAC on 31st August,

2004. International Panel of Experts declared that the Project is technically feasible. The

contract for review of Feasibility Studies, Detailed Engineering Design and preparation of

Tender Documents awarded to M/S Diamer Basha Consultants (DBC) (Joint Venture of local

& foreign firms, with M/s Lahmeyer a leading firm). The DBC mobilized on 5th September,

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2005 and the assignment is scheduled to be completed by March, 2008. 90% detailed

Engineering Design Work has been completed upto February 2008.

2. Pre-requisite ActivitiesFollowing are the pre-requisite activities:

a. Construction of a new bridge at Thakot, on River Indus, as the exiting bridge can notsustain the anticipated transportation load during construction of DBDP. New Thakot

Bridge Construct

b. 323 Km of Karakorum Highway (KKH) from Havalian to Dam site is to be Up-started byNHA graded / widened for transportation of heavy machinery & equipment.

c. 100 Km of KKH will be submerged due to impounding of reservoir; this portion is to beRe- located on higher elevation.

d. Land acquisition.3. Main Components

Diamer Basha Dam Project will be the highest Roller Compacted Concrete Dam in the world,

height of 272 meters spillway with fourteen (14) gates each 11.5 m x 16.24 m. The gross

capacity of the reservoir will be 8.1 MAF, with a live storage of 6.4 MAF. Two (2)

underground power houses are being proposed, one on each side of the main dam having

six (6) turbines on each side with total installed capacity 4500 MW. Scheduled completion

period of the project is w.e.f. 2009 to 2016, cost US $ 8.505 Billion.

Main Dam Maximum Height 272 m Type Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC)

Diversion System 2 No. Diversion Tunnels (right side)1 No. Diversion Channel (right side)

Upstream and Downstream Cofferdams

Main Spillway No. of gates 14 Size of gate 11.5 x 16.24 m

Reservoir

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Full Supply Level 1160 masl Crest Elevation Level 1170 masl Gross Storage 8.1 MAF (10.0 BCM) Live Storage 6.4 MAF (7.9 BCM)

Min. operating level 1060 masl Outlets In Dam Body

Low level 2 Flushing 5

Power House(s) 2 Total Installed Capacity 4500 MW Location and Type Underground, one each on right and left side No. of Units 12 each of 375 MW Average Generation 19208 Gwh/year

(Diamer Basha = 18097 Gwh/year)

(Tarbela = 1111 Gwh/year)

PC-I Cost Rs.894.257 billion (with FEC Rs.312.943 billion) EIRR 15.3% FIRR 8.04% Benefit/Cost Ratio 1.43

(Discount Rate 12%)

CONCERNED AUTHORITIES Sponsoring Government of Pakistan Execution Water & Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Operation & Maintenance Water & Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Concerned Federal Ministry Ministry of Water & Power, GoP

ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT

No. of villages affected 32 No. of households/families affected 4228 Population affected 30,350 Agricultural land submerged 2660 acres Length of KKH submerged 100 km Length of KKH relocated 140 km Prehistoric rock carvings 33000 Nos. Infrastructure Electricity Lines, Roads etc.

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Total land to be acquired 37,419 Acres(Private Land = 18,014 Acres)

(Govt. Land = 19,405 Acres)

Nine Model Villages with all the amenities shall be built for resettlement of theaffectees.

Selected important rock carvings shall be displayed in a museum in Chilas others shall bepreserved in situ.

Resettlement and Environment management plans have been prepared on theinternational norms.

MAIN PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation / construction activities of main project shall commence in

2012-2013 and completion is envisaged in 2020-2021.

CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES

A Vocational Training Institute (VTI) has been setup in Chilas which shall provide training tothe locals in different trades so that locals shall be employed by the contractors for MainProject.

Wapda shall up grade three (03) schools, three (03) hospitals in different areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and a Cadet College in Chilas, Establish a Trauma centre and Gilgit Scout Wing for

security purpose and convert Khapku Fort into Museum, provide financial assistance for

Polo Team.

BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT

1. 8.1 MAF Gross storage and 6.4 MAF Live storage of water will be available forsupplementing irrigation supplies.

2. This reservoir would act as silt trap, which in turn would have direct effects on existing andproposed reservoirs on Indus downstream of Diamer Basha Dam Project.

3. Enhance the potential life of Tarbela reservoir by 35 years.Water impounded by reservoirshall help to mitigate downstream flood losses. The avoidance of flood damages cost would

be even much more than Rs.2, 331 million per annum.

4. Designated installed capacity is 4500 MW with an average annual energy generation of19,208 GWh.

5. The average annual power benefits shall be US$ 1.79 billion from electricity revenue andUS$ 0.62 billion from irrigation.

6. On completion, this project will save US$ 2.85 billion in foreign exchange for production ofequivalent electricity on imported oil.

7. The releases from DBD reservoirs shall be utilized at different proposed dam sites betweenDiamer Basha and Tarbela reservoirs for production of cheap hydroelectric power.

8. Power transmission to be developed under this project will provide corridor for theproposed projects like Dasu, Pattan, Bunji etc. in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

9. Employment opportunities (direct employment = 13,561 persons & indirect employment =2.5 million persons), particularly to the locals during the construction and operation.

10.Economic and social development of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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11.The project will pay back its cost in 8 years.FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

Asian Development Bank (ADB) Reconnaissance Mission Reviewed the Project duringMarch-April, 2009. The Bank Aide Memoire had been approved by Wapda and GoP. ADBs

pre-condition of National Consensus for funding DBDP is fulfilled as Council of CommonInterests (CCI) unanimously approved DBDP on 18.07.2010. Country Director, ADB Pakistan

Resident Mission on 27.06.2011 has conveyed that the standard procedure is to be followed

to approve DBDP.

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has in principles agreed for partially financing DBDP. Wapda approached US Aid for help in financing the project. WAPDA has several discussions

with USAID regarding DBD Project and USAID has been evaluating options for a possible

level of support. USAID has been requested for US$ 200 million to finance for the year 2011.

Project proposal has been taken up with the Saudi Fund for Development. Japan Bank ofInternational Cooperation (JBIC) has also been approached for the arrangement of financing

in construction of DBDP. During the visit of honorable President of Pakistan, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic

Development has been agreed to finance the project. Wapda has requested Economic

Affairs Division (EAD) GoP to approach the Kuwait Fund for lending of their technical &

commercial group for appraisal of the project.

Rs.18 billion have been allocated by GoP for Land Acquisition during 2011-2012. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet considered the summary dated

6th January, 2011, submitted by Ministry of Water & Power on Proposal for Funding of

PKR 20 Billion for Diamer Basha Dam Project and allowed WAPDA to raise funds of Rs.20

billion (with tax exemption) under Government of Pakistan guarantee from the market

through TFCs/SUKUKs to be repaid by WAPDA from its own resources. WAPDA is negotiating for loan from Employees Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI).Discovery of Buddhist artifacts

On April 4, 2008, it was reported in several major South Asian newspapers that Buddhist

artifacts, possibly numbering in the thousands, have been recovered at the site of the Diamer-

Basha Dam.[1] According to these articles, the beleaguered engineering firm Lahmeyer

International,[2] which has been involved in planning out the dam, has suggested a museum be

built to house the artifacts. Also, an unnamed German scholar affiliated with a Germanarchaeological university (possibly the German Archaeological Institute) has traveled to

Pakistan to study the artifacts.[3]

The Government of Pakistan has now decided to secure and relocate all items of archaeological

significance from the areas that will be inundated by the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and its reservoir

and to place them in a newly constructed museum near the Dam site.

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