LAHORE: Wapda has finalised the main contracts of civil works for the Dasu Hydropower Project (DHP) in an effort to capitalise on hydropower resource to add low-cost electricity to the national grid as per the federal government’s resolve.

Subsequent to signing of agreements, the construction on main works of the 2,160MW Stage-I of the DHP will commence shortly.

“Likewise, the contractor of the 128MW Keyal Khwar Hydropower Project has also started mobilising machinery to the site to carry out construction work on the project,” said Wapda chairman retired Lt-Gen Muzammil Hussain during his visit to various projects including Dasu, Keyal Khwar, Khan Khwar, Allai Khwar and Duber Khwar.

According to a spokesman for the authority, the chairman expressed satisfaction over the work initiated on already-awarded three DHP contracts to develop infrastructure in the project area -- relocation of Karakoram Highway (Rs14.538 billion), construction of right bank access road (Rs2.713bn) and construction of 132KV transmission line from Duber Khwar Hydel Power Station to Dasu (Rs1.583bn).

He urged the project management to complete these works within the stipulated time.

He also directed them to effectively engage the locals and the district as well as the provincial administration to expedite the process of remaining land acquisition for the project.

Mr Hussain also visited Khan, Allai and Duber Khwar hydel power stations where he was informed that these hydel power stations had contributed 4.861 billion units of electricity to the national grid since their commercial operation.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2017