ISLAMABAD: The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has awarded a major hydro-mechanical contract for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project to a Chinese-led joint venture, marking another step in the construction of the mega water and hydropower project on the Indus River.
According to a WAPDA spokesperson, the HM-1 contract is worth Rs133.18 billion and covers the manufacturing, supply and installation of equipment essential for controlling water flow through the dam.
The HM-1 (Hydro-Mechanical 1) contract has been awarded to a joint venture between PowerChina and ICAN, the WAPDA spokesperson said.
The agreement was signed by Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project Director Arif Ali and the joint venture’s representative, Ling Jianke. WAPDA Chairman Lieutenant General (Retd) Muhammad Saeed also attended the signing ceremony.
The contract covers the construction and installation of hydro-mechanical equipment and hydraulic steel structures required for the dam’s operation.
Contract includes gates, steel structures, pumping systems
Under the agreement, the joint venture will manufacture, supply and install gates and steel structures designed to regulate water flow through the dam.
The equipment will be installed at the flushing tunnels, power intakes and dam inlets. The HM-1 contract also includes steel lining, hoisting systems, pumping systems and associated electrical works.
These components will form part of the infrastructure needed to manage water flow and support the dam’s operational requirements.
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is being constructed on the Indus River, approximately 40 kilometres downstream from the city of Chilas.
Once completed, the project is expected to have a water storage capacity of 8.1 million acre-feet and generate 4,500 megawatts of low-cost, environmentally friendly hydroelectric power.
