POWERCHINA builders discuss construction plans at the construction site of the Bhasha Dam in Pakistan.
A recent CCTV news report spotlighted the Diamer-Bhasha Dam in Pakistan, part of cooperation efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting the extraordinary efforts of young builders from POWERCHINA.
This dam, Pakistan's largest ongoing hydropower project, features an impressive capacity of 4,500 MW and a towering height of 272 meters, making it the tallest roller-compacted concrete dam under construction globally. The project has garnered international acclaim for its technical innovations and scale.
Initially, the team faced the challenge of constructing cross-river transportation. To transport main cables from China, they devised a plan to assemble a floating box bridge using local resources.
Despite harsh winter conditions, the builders completed a temporary floating bridge in under a month. Just five months later, an 80-metric-ton capacity cableway bridge was also completed, marking the commencement of the main project.
During the critical diversion phase, the team overcame severe weather, limited space, complex geology, and massive excavation tasks. The challenging terrain required precise blasting and the coordination of hundreds of machines to carve a diversion channel through the hard rock.
The team also used innovative longitudinal guide walls and convinced foreign partners to adopt full-section lining in tunnel construction, significantly enhancing efficiency. After over 900 days of dedicated work, the Indus River was redirected, offering a Chinese solution to global engineering challenges.
The project's location presents extreme climatic conditions, with temperatures nearing 50 C and strong winds. To address these, the team utilized local volcanic ash and advanced modeling techniques to optimize materials, ensuring effective temperature control and crack prevention.
These young builders are helping to strengthen China-Pakistan relations, contributing to the Belt and Road Initiative, and crafting a legendary story for the new era.
A night view of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam in Pakistan.
