Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has completed the installation of the main cable for a 30-ton cable crane at the Diamer Basha Dam project, marking a significant construction milestone.
The main cable was successfully pulled across the Indus River, spanning more than 1,500m under high-altitude canyon conditions. According to WAPDA, the installation represents a significant engineering achievement given the terrain and project environment.
The authority said project teams worked continuously over three days to complete the operation safely and accurately.
The milestone provides the foundation for assembling and commissioning the cable crane system, which will be used to support and accelerate construction activities at the dam site.
WAPDA is constructing the 272m-high Diamer Basha Dam in northern Pakistan. The roller compacted concrete (RCC) structure is expected to become the world’s tallest RCC dam when completed.
Once operational, the project will have a water storage capacity of 8.1 million acre-feet (MAF) and an installed hydropower capacity of 4500MW. WAPDA estimates the scheme will generate around 18,000GWh of electricity annually.
