Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Hydroelectric dam construction site between Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam rises from a narrow gorge on the Indus River where two regions of Pakistan meet, creating one of the highest roller-compacted concrete dams in the world when finished. The reservoir behind it will stretch upstream for more than 100 kilometers through a valley flanked by steep rock walls.
Planning for the structure began in the late 1990s, but work stalled for years due to funding gaps and regional disputes. Actual construction started in 2020 with Chinese support and is expected to continue for more than a decade.
The development requires the relocation of 35,000 residents from 31 villages to nine newly constructed settlements with modern facilities and infrastructure.
The construction site sits in a remote mountain area with limited access, and visitors typically need special permits because of ongoing work. The surrounding roads are narrow and wind through steep terrain, so expect long travel times from nearby towns.
The construction site includes its own cement plant on location, producing thousands of tons of material daily for the structure. This facility saves enormous transport costs and shortens building time considerably, since concrete does not need to be hauled over long distances.
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