GILGIT: Wapda Chairman retired Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani on Friday visited the Diamer-Bhasha Dam site to witness construction activities and oversee the speed of work.

The Wapda chairman was told that work was underway at 14 key sites of the project being constructed across Indus River, 40km downstream of Chilas town in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Mr Ghani visited sites of a diversion canal, guide wall, diversion tunnel, upstream and downstream coffer dams, permanent bridge and left and right abutments of the main dam.

He was briefed about the construction work by the Diamer Basha Dam Company CEO, project director, consultants and contractors.

The Wapda chief was told that a diversion system had been built, which was functioning satisfactorily. A permanent access bridge has been completed while adjacent approach roads were scheduled to be completed by next month.

The Wapda chairman directed consultants and contractors to strictly adhere to the construction standards to ensure quality work.

During his visit to the project site, the Wapda chairman also participated in a jirga with the GB ministers and civil administration officials and discussed the resettlement of the affectees.

Mr Ghani said the authority has spent Rs78.5 billion on the resettlement of affectees and development schemes in the health and education sectors and infrastructure in the area.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2024