The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Thursday approved a revised proposal worth Rs. 485 billion for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project, which also includes the procurement of helicopters for security purposes. The proposal has now been forwarded to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.
The decision was taken during a CDWP meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal.
According to officials, the revised PC-1 includes the purchase of helicopters strictly on security grounds. The CDWP directed the relevant authorities to submit the revised PC-1 for the dam component without further delay.
During the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal expressed concern over the prolonged delay in updating the project’s revised PC-1. He noted that despite significant cost escalation, no updated plan had been finalized over the past six years since the project’s original approval in 2018 at an estimated cost of Rs. 480 billion.
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is considered one of Pakistan’s most important infrastructure and water security projects, aimed at enhancing water storage capacity, hydropower generation, and long-term energy sustainability.
