ISLAMABAD: The government has so far acquired 32,073 acres of land for important Diamer Basha Dam project which is expected to be completed by April, 2029 and would meet growing water and power needs of the country. The acquired land is around 90 percent of total required 35,924 acres of land for the project.

The official information revealed on Sunday that the total estimated cost of Diamer Basha Dam project is Rs.1406,122 million which includes PC-I (acquisition of land and resettlement Rs.175,436 million, PC-I (Dam Part Rs. 479,686 million while cost for PC-I (Power Generation Facilities yet to be approved) is Rs. 751,000 million.

Similarly, the amount spent by previous governments on the Dam is Rs. 86,685 million under acquisition of land and resettlement (AL&R) since 2009-10 while the present government has spent Rs. 30,273 million under AL&R and Rs. 51,555 million under dam part. The total amount of Rs. 116,158 million has been spent under AL&R and Rs. 51,555 million under the Dam's part.

The information further revealed that Supreme Court of Pakistan is custodian of Dam Fund. The total amount of the Funds collected for the project so far is Rs. 12,934,008,868 up to July 15, 2021. Moreover, thanks to the present government this is giving priority to completion of mega power projects, and had earmarked Rs. 15,500 million for the Dam part and Rs. 7,000 million for AL&R during fiscal year 2020-21.

The PC-I (Dam Part) was approved @1US$ = Rs. 105.3, however, the cost will be updated during revision of PC-I in accordance with guidelines of Planning Commission's Manual for Development projects. As per plan for construction, the Consultants for main works have commenced their services from October last year while Contractor for Main Dam works have been mobilized at site after signing of Contract Agreement with commencement date as August 07, 2020.

As per financing plan, the Acquisition of Land and Resettlement is being financed by government of Pakistan as Rs. 106,897 million has been released against PC-I (AL&R) amounting to Rs. 175,436 million. Similarly, financing plan for the Dam's part includes Rs. 233,686 million under government share, Rs. 144,000 million under commercial financing and Rs. 100,000 million under WAPDA equity.

The financing plan of power generation facilities includes Rs. 76,000 million under WAPDA Equity, Rs. 429,000 million under Commercial Financing and Rs. 246,000 under Integrated Water Flow Model Demand Calculator (IDC) which shall be recovered through tariff.