The government seems to consider the building of the new dam a high priority — Reuters/File photo.

ISLAMABAD Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday said that all the resources will be utilized to timely complete the Diamer-Basha dam project to generate clean and cheaper electricity for future requirements.

He said this here while presiding over a meeting to review the progress of Diamer-Basha dam project, the Minister said that the generation of 4500 MW cheap hydel power from Diamer-Basha dam will reduce the dependence on thermal power.

'It would result in saving of huge foreign exchange in terms furnace oil imports and make available 6.4 million acre feet (MAF) water for irrigation.' Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said.

He said that the project will create massive infrastructure and job opportunities leading to the overall socio-economic uplift of the area.

The Minister directed WAPDA authorities to follow the schedule to ensure timely completion of the project.

The meeting was attended by federal minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas, Qamar Zaman Kaira and Dr Babar Awan, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the government is giving priority to all such mega projects and every efforts is being made to provided the funding for Diamer-Basha dam.

Qamar Zaman Kaira also expressed concerns over the rehabilitation of local uprooted with the construction of the dam. He asked the WAPDA undertake the resettlement plan for the affectees of the dam in Northern Areas and NWFP.

Earlier, the Chairman Wapda briefed the meeting on the progress of the project and said that the ECNEC had approved the project for land acquisition and resettlement of the dam at a cost of about Rs60 billion.

He said that the Diamer-Basha dam will be the highest rolled compacted concrete dam in the world having height of 272 meters.

The meeting was informed that 323 KM of Karakoram Highway from Havelian to the dam site would be upgraded by the NHA for transportation of heavy machinery and equipments.

Chairman WAPDA said that the design and feasibility study has been completed while the tenders have been invited for construction of the project.

He also informed the participants that the project is on schedule and will be completed within the prescribed time frame in 2016.

The meeting also discussed project financing for Diamer-Basha dam and observed satisfaction over the positive response from international financing institutions for the project.

In an another development a five member delegation headed by Axel Pliefke, CEO of Handel Services Consulting, Germany called on the Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf here today and expressed interest to invest in the wind power generation up to 500 MW.

The Minister welcomed the German investment and assured to facilitate the German investors.

He asked the delegation to submit the detail proposal for wind power generation in Pakistan. The Minister said that Pakistan has great potential of 350,000 MW in wind power and the incentive based liberal policy will encourage the investment.