LAHORE - The ground-breaking of WAPDA offices and colonies to be constructed near Diamer-Basha Dam is expected the next month. The Federal government has already released an initial sum of Rs 700 million to WAPDA for acquisition of land for the construction of the project in Gilgit-Baltistan. WAPDA Chairman Shakil Durrani stated this during his visit to the Diamer-Basha Dam Project site, after having a meeting with Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah. Besides Diamer-Basha Dam, Satpara, Bunji, Dasu, Shyok and other water & hydropower projects being started in Gilgit-Baltistan, were also discussed in the meeting. The WAPDA Chairman said that Diamer-Basha Dam, the largest project ever executed in the history of Pakistan, would store 8.1 million acre feet (MAF) of water and generate 4500 megawatt (MW) of low-cost hydel electricity on its completion. In addition to providing water for agriculture, the project would also contribute 18 billion units of electricity per annum to the national grid, he added. The GB Chief Minister referring to the water and hydropower potential of Gilgit-Baltistan said that development of these resources by constructing Diamer-Basha and other projects would not only play a pivotal role in strengthening the national economy, but also pave the way for socio-economic uplift of the area. The CM assured that the GB government would extend optimum support and cooperation to WAPDA in execution of its projects in the area. On the occasion, the WAPDA Chairman presented a cheque of Rs 0.5 million to the CM as additional donation for the flood victims of Chillas area. It may be mentioned that WAPDA has already spent about Rs 2.5 million on relief activities in the areas adjacent to Diamer-Basha Dam project and provided a cash donation of Rs 50 million. In the second leg of his 2-day tour, the WAPDA Chairman also visited Bunji Hydropower Project as well as Shyok and Satpara dams. Senior USAID officials also accompanied him during the visit. The General Managers concerned briefed the Chairman about the progress made on the projects. It was told that the feasibility study of 7100MW Bunji Hydropower Project had already been completed, while seismic studies and detailed engineering design of the project would take another 18 months. The main dam of Satpara project is complete and consequently, the reservoir was filled up to 85 per cent of its capacity this summer. The construction work on the irrigation system and the powerhouse 3&4 are also under way. The Chairman directed that remaining works of Satpara Dam project be completed in the shortest possible time in view of its significance for the area, as it would irrigate more than 15,500 acres of land in Skardu and its suburbs and generate about 17MW hydel electricity.