Dam Construction in Pakistan

[Neo]

37,000 families to be displaced by Bhasha Dam project ​

ISLAMABAD: The construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam will displace around 37,000 families, German Company Lehmar has informed in the final draft of detailed engineering design of the dam.

Sources in Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) told Daily Times Saturday that Lehmar has submitted final detailed engineering design to the authority.

The company has recommended setting up nine model villages near Gilgit to accommodate these affected families. The company has also recommended allotting five Marlas for residence per family and six canals to one family for agriculture purpose.

The company has also informed the dam power generation capacity would be 4,500 MW per day whereas its water storage capacity would stand at 7.5 million acre feet (MAF). Dam would have four turbines and two powerhouses.

Sources said the royalty would be distributed between main stakeholders, North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Northern Areas. For the royalty, the power plants of 1,150 MW would be set up and income from these power plants would be aimed at royalty purposes.

The dam would be at 1,160 feet above the sea level and 360 feet from the river level. Ten feet storage capacity would be specified to handle the situation if the glacier splits. Lehmar in the detailed engineering design has indicated cost of $ 8.505 billion at present against the earlier projected cost of $ 6.5 billion in year 2005.

They said Lehmar had a group of companies including Pakistan based NDC, PEC and Borquab that were engaged to issue the final design of the Diamer Bhasha dam. The contract of these companies had been ended but they would remain in by December 30 to help WAPDA.

Government has allocated Rs 200 million in Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2008-09 for the project. However the government would seek major chunk of the financing from different international financing including World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).

China and Argentina have also shown interest in the Bhasha dam project. Government will send the final detailed engineering design to International Financers and these countries to seek financing for the project, it added.

Sources said that government has already placed request before the Chinese government to join the Bhasha dam project and China has offered Pakistan to hire a company for the financing. Chinese Development Bank has also assured Pakistan to provide financing for the dam project.

Sources said, that if China joins the project it would want to take award of the construction of the dam project because it has been the policy of China to take project for the construction for which it provides financing.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Engr.Adeel]

Salam to alll,

i am a geotech engineer worked on Engineering design and tender documents of Diamer Basha Dam Project.

If any buddy wanna ask sumthing. plzzz ask

i Will be happy to ans that.

 

[fatman17]

Salam to alll,

i am a geotech engineer worked on Engineering design and tender documents of Diamer Basha Dam Project.

If any buddy wanna ask sumthing. plzzz ask

i Will be happy to ans that.

1. when does it get completed?

2. is there a problem with funds / financing the project?

3. what is the name of the consortium that is building this dam?

 

[Spring Onion]

1. when does it get completed?

2. is there a problem with funds / financing the project?

3. what is the name of the consortium that is building this dam?

Let me tell you sir atleast about the funding issue.


Guess what ?
World Bank had refused to fund the project which it had earlier promised and was part of the accord for fund to this project.

In another words the elements want to starve you to death.


Now in my opinion no matter what happens, Pakistan should go ahead with the project and should take pain to fund it by itself.

Plus at the same time start work on other dams specially KBD.

 

[ejaz007]

Some information on Diamer Basha Dam:

BASHA DIAMER DAM PROJECT SALIENT FEATURES

DIVERSION TUNNELS
5 No. WITH TOTAL LENGTH OF 7.5 Km
COFFER DAMS
55 m HIGH UPSTREAM & 25 m HIGH DOWNSTREAM
MAIN DAM
281 m HIGH, 990 m LONG 12 m, WIDE CREST
RESERVOIR
GROSS CAPACITY LIVE CAPACITY FULL RESERVOIR LEVEL
9.04 MAF (11.15 BCM) 7.30 MAF (9.05 BCM) El. 1170 m
MAIN SPILLWAY
TYPEDESIGN DISCHARGE GATE CONTROLLED OGEE CREST 23,700 Cumecs (837,000 Cusecs)
OUTLETS
8 CONDUITS FOR IRRIGATION AND 4 FOR SLUICING
POWERHOUSES
LOCATION & TYPENO. OF UNITSTOTAL INSTALLED CAPACITY TWO UNDERGROUND, ONE ON EACH BANK12 UNITS, EACH OF 375 MW (6 ON EACH POWERHOUSE)4500 MW (16,770 GWh)
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT
APPROX. POPULATION AFFECTEDSUBMERGENCE OF KKH 23,700 (2,850 HOUSEHOLDS) 110 Km

SEISMIC DESIGN PARAMETERS

MAXIMUM DESIGN EARTHQUAKE (MDE) TAKEN EQUAL TO THE MAXIMUM CREDIBLE EARTHQUAKE (MCE) 0.40 g
OPERATING BASIS EARTHQUAKE (OBE) 0.21 g

BASHA DIAMER DAM PROJECTPOWER TRANSMISSION

1. FAR AWAY FROM LOAD CENTER.
2. FIRST 325 KM THROUGH RUGGED MOUNTAINS.
3. MORE COSTLIER AND DIFFICULT TO CONSTRUCT.
4. TOTAL COST U.S. $ 986 MILLION WHICH IS ABOUT 15 % OF TOTAL FINANCIAL COST.

 

[bhangra12345]

Let me tell you sir atleast about the funding issue.
Guess what ?
World Bank had refused to fund the project which it had earlier promised and was part of the accord for fund to this project.

In another words the elements want to starve you to death.


Now in my opinion no matter what happens, Pakistan should go ahead with the project and should take pain to fund it by itself.

Plus at the same time start work on other dams specially KBD.

Didnt China pitch in, if I remember it right?
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\04\04\story_4-4-2008_pg5_8

Also after the narmada dam controversies in India, wasnt there a decision by WB not to fund projects which have mass displacement?

What was the funding requirement and what was Pakistan's share, what was supposed to be WBs share and how was the supposed loan repaid?

 

[Spring Onion]

Didnt China pitch in, if I remember it right?
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

Also after the narmada dam controversies in India, wasnt there a decision by WB not to fund projects which have mass displacement?

What was the funding requirement and what was Pakistan's share, what was supposed to be WBs share and how was the supposed loan repaid?

Yes it was there but WB just last month refused to fund the projects it means we were still banking on WB.

If we go for China it would much much wiser.

WB loans are always costly and add to misiries for the common of the country.

 

[bhangra12345]

Yes it was there but WB just last month refused to fund the projects it means we were still banking on WB.

If we go for China it would much much wiser.

WB loans are always costly and add to misiries for the common of the country.

What were Chinas terms?

From a post above

Lehmar in the detailed engineering design has indicated cost of $ 8.505 billion at present against the earlier projected cost of $ 6.5 billion in year 2005.

so in total around $10 billion if todays escalations are taken into account. Remember how much did US demand in WoT for this money, what would have been Chinas quid pro?

 

[Neo]

Yes it was there but WB just last month refused to fund the projects it means we were still banking on WB.

If we go for China it would much much wiser.

WB loans are always costly and add to misiries for the common of the country.

Jana Ji,

True that WB declined to finance this mega project fro political reason last month but China has stepped in now to complete it, I've reported the events in another thread.

Diamer-Bhash Dam

 

[Engr.Adeel]

1. when does it get completed?

2. is there a problem with funds / financing the project?

3. what is the name of the consortium that is building this dam?

1. if it start (inshallah) next year, it will be completed by 2016, as per schadule.
2. yes there are some problems with funds. Govt. need at least 60% finance from outside. but hopefully this will be sorted out.
3. still the contractors are not decided, prequalification of contractors is on th way.

 

[Engr.Adeel]

Some information on Diamer Basha Dam:

BASHA DIAMER DAM PROJECT SALIENT FEATURES

DIVERSION TUNNELS
5 No. WITH TOTAL LENGTH OF 7.5 Km
COFFER DAMS
55 m HIGH UPSTREAM & 25 m HIGH DOWNSTREAM
MAIN DAM
281 m HIGH, 990 m LONG 12 m, WIDE CREST
RESERVOIR
GROSS CAPACITY LIVE CAPACITY FULL RESERVOIR LEVEL
9.04 MAF (11.15 BCM) 7.30 MAF (9.05 BCM) El. 1170 m
MAIN SPILLWAY
TYPEDESIGN DISCHARGE GATE CONTROLLED OGEE CREST 23,700 Cumecs (837,000 Cusecs)
OUTLETS
8 CONDUITS FOR IRRIGATION AND 4 FOR SLUICING
POWERHOUSES
LOCATION & TYPENO. OF UNITSTOTAL INSTALLED CAPACITY TWO UNDERGROUND, ONE ON EACH BANK12 UNITS, EACH OF 375 MW (6 ON EACH POWERHOUSE)4500 MW (16,770 GWh)
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT
APPROX. POPULATION AFFECTEDSUBMERGENCE OF KKH 23,700 (2,850 HOUSEHOLDS) 110 Km

SEISMIC DESIGN PARAMETERS

MAXIMUM DESIGN EARTHQUAKE (MDE) TAKEN EQUAL TO THE MAXIMUM CREDIBLE EARTHQUAKE (MCE) 0.40 g
OPERATING BASIS EARTHQUAKE (OBE) 0.21 g

BASHA DIAMER DAM PROJECTPOWER TRANSMISSION

1. FAR AWAY FROM LOAD CENTER.
2. FIRST 325 KM THROUGH RUGGED MOUNTAINS.
3. MORE COSTLIER AND DIFFICULT TO CONSTRUCT.
4. TOTAL COST U.S. $ 986 MILLION WHICH IS ABOUT 15 % OF TOTAL FINANCIAL COST.

I will like to add that these features are from the previous design which was done by NEAC at the feasaility stage. Latest design features are here-under

DIVERSION TUNNELS
2 No. WITH TOTAL LENGTH OF 2 KmCOFFER DAMS
55 m HIGH UPSTREAM & 25 m HIGH DOWNSTREAM
MAIN DAM
272 m HIGH, 990 m LONG 15 m, WIDE CREST
RESERVOIR
GROSS CAPACITY LIVE CAPACITY FULL RESERVOIR LEVEL
8.6 MAF (11.15 BCM) 6.5 MAF El. 1170 mMAIN SPILLWAY
TYPEDESIGN DISCHARGE GATE CONTROLLED OGEE CREST 23,700 Cumecs (837,000 Cusecs)
OUTLETS
8 CONDUITS FOR IRRIGATION
1 tunnel FOR SLUICING
POWERHOUSES
LOCATION & TYPENO. OF UNITSTOTAL INSTALLED CAPACITY TWO UNDERGROUND, ONE ON EACH BANK8 UNITS, EACH OF 562.5 MW (4 ON EACH POWERHOUSE)4500 MW (16,770 GWh)ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT
APPROX. POPULATION AFFECTEDSUBMERGENCE OF KKH 23,700 (2,850 HOUSEHOLDS) 110 Km

 

[fatman17]

1. if it start (inshallah) next year, it will be completed by 2016, as per schadule.
2. yes there are some problems with funds. Govt. need at least 60% finance from outside. but hopefully this will be sorted out.
3. still the contractors are not decided, prequalification of contractors is on th way.

my friend u r in norway - how r u involved?

 

[Engr.Adeel]

my friend u r in norway - how r u involved?

The engineering design and tender documents works of Diamer Basha dam project are completed by 30 June 2008. I was in Diamer Basha Consultants Office, Lahore untill 30 June 2008. I came here in Norway on 5th August 2008.

Now as it is finished so consultants are demobalized.
now a dayz project is in stage of prequalification of contractors.

 

[Imran Khan]

Govt announces construction of Bhasha dam
submitted 1 hour 56 minutes ago
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council has approved the construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam here on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference, Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Parvez Ashraf said that 4500 MW of electricity would be generated through the dam. “The construction work will be completed in seven years with the cost of $12.6 billions,” adding that it will have the capacity to store 8.1 million acre feet water. Ashraf said that the bidding would commence on November 30 for pre-qualification of the project. Around 28, 000 people would be displaced due to the project, he said and added that affected people would be provided alternate land in addition to the payment of actual cost.

 

[Imran Khan]

Pakistan approves construction of Bhasha Dam
Tuesday, 11 Nov, 2008 | 06:20 PM PST |

File photo: Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf. APP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan approved on Tuesday a plan to build a dam on the Indus river at a cost of more than $12 billion as part of efforts to overcome an acute power shortage.


The government had approved the construction of the Bhasha dam project in the Gilgit region in the north which will produce 4,500 MW of electricity and include a reservoir for 8.1 million acre feet of water, a government minister said.

‘This is a great project for the Pakistani nation,’ Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf told a news conference after a meeting of the executive committee of the
National Economic Council, which deals with development projects.

The project would cost $12.6 billion and would be completed in seven years, he said.
Ashraf said pre-qualification bids for the dam, a diversion tunnel and an underground power station would be held on Nov.30.

The National Economic Council sanctioned $745 million for acquisition of land for the dam and compensation to people affected by the project, the government said in a statement.

Ashraf said 28,000 people would be affected. The construction of reservoirs and dams is sensitive in Pakistan where down-river provinces, such as Sindh in the south, complain that they risk being deprived of their fair share of water.

Former president Pervez Musharraf campaigned for the construction of the Kalabagh dam on the Indus river, a considerable distance downstream from Gilgit.

But Musharraf abandoned his efforts to get the dam built after opposition from three of the country's four provinces, which feared Punjab, the main agricultural province, would siphon off an unfair amount of water.

The seven-month-old civilian government that came to power this year has shelved plans for the Kalabagh dam and has promised projects that do not raise controversy to meet the energy shortage.

None of the provinces has raised objections to the Bhasha dam, apparently because its location in a northern mountain valley has eased fears that Punjab can take an unfair share of water.

About a third of the country's power generation capacity of 19,566 MW comes from hydro-electricity, with most of the rest produced by thermal plants.

The demand for electricity in Pakistan is projected to grow by 8.7 per cent a year.