Imran kicks off Diamer-Bhasha project | The project will be the ‘third biggest dam in Pakistan’
TLTP
CHILAS
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Diamer-Bhasha Dam will generate low-cost environment friendly hydel power in the country.
The Prime Minister was addressing a public gathering here on Wednesday after visiting the site of the dam.
The Prime Minister said Diamer Bhasha Dam will be the third largest dam of the country. He said that it was envisaged 40 years ago, but work on the project is being started that day.
He said, “We will neither have to import fuel for this project nor will it affect our climate. It will not add to the global warming problems of the country.” Over 16,000 people will be employed after construction begins on this dam, said the PM, adding that it would be completed by 2028.
The Prime Minister said in 1990s, decision was made to generate electricity through imported fuel, which caused current account deficit. He said Pakistan has huge potential for hydel power, which needs to be tapped. He said the government will also launch other hydel power projects.
The Prime Minister said Diamer-Bhasha Dam will change the fate of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan by creating employment opportunities for them. He said the tourism sector in the region will also get promoted with the implementation of the mega project.
Imran Khan said the PTI government is focused to uplift the living standard of the downtrodden. He said the government has enhanced budget of Gilgit-Baltistan with an aim to provide maximum facilities to the people of the region.
The Prime Minister said that the site is naturally well-suited for building the dam because it has natural rocks. He said the dam will also provide the facility to store 6.4 million acre-feet of water and 4,500-megawatt, environment-friendly electricity will be produced.
“China has constructed 5,000 huge dams. Overall they have 80,000 dams and this will be our third biggest dam,” said the PM.
The Premier said that the dam will likely reduce the chances of flooding in the country. “When our government took over, we had a deficit of over Rs20 billion due to the decisions of the past governments,” he told attendees, adding that the less developed areas of the country cannot be ignored any further.
He said that a cadet college being constructed in the area will provide a great opportunity to the people of Chilas and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was briefed on Diamer Bhasha Dam project. Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and DG ISI Lt. General Faiz Hameed were also present on the occasion. TLTP
Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Chairman China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority, Lt Gen (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa shared the news of the Prime Minister’s arrival to oversee the Diamer-Bhasha dam construction on Twitter, saying that the Premier will be briefed regarding the progress of the project and its impact.
“Historic milestone as PM kicks off mega construction work at Diamer Bhasha Dam today. 6.4 MAF Water reservoir, will add 1.2 M acres for agriculture, 4500 MW cheaper, greener Hydel power, steel/cement/construction boost,16000 jobs,” he wrote.
