Pozzolan Extraction Begins at Gini, Marking Major Milestone for Diamer Basha Dam Main Dam Construction

Diamer, Gilgit-Baltistan, September 25, 2026 — A major milestone toward construction of the Main Dam structure of the Diamer Basha Dam Project has been achieved with the formal commencement of extraction and transportation of pozzolan material from Gini, Diamer, paving the way for Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) placement to begin at the site.

Background

The Diamer Basha Dam is one of Pakistan’s flagship water infrastructure projects, being developed by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in Gilgit-Baltistan to address the country’s growing water storage and hydropower needs. Progress on the Main Dam structure depends on securing the raw materials required for large-scale concrete construction, making the commencement of pozzolan extraction a significant step in advancing the project toward active construction of its core structure.

What the Milestone Involves

The extracted pozzolan will be processed for use in Roller Compacted Concrete for the Main Dam, following which RCC placement will formally begin at the site. RCC construction is a widely used method for large dam structures, valued for its speed and cost-efficiency compared to conventional concrete placement, and pozzolan serves as a key supplementary material in the RCC mix.

The development follows directions issued by Chairman WAPDA Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed (Retd) and Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Mr. Arshad Majeed Mohmand. In compliance with these directions, the Diamer Basha Dam Project Management and the District Administration completed all requisite arrangements to enable the extraction activity to proceed.

Ceremony at Gini

Commissioner Diamer-Astore Division Mr. Azim Ullah, Chief Executive Officer of Diamer Basha Development Company Engr. Dr. Nazakat Hussain, and Project Director of Diamer Basha Dam Engr. Arif Ali, along with senior officers of the District Administration and WAPDA, visited Gini to mark the occasion. Representatives of the project’s consultants and contractors, along with local elders and Ulema, were also present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, the Commissioner Diamer-Astore Division and CEO of Diamer Basha Development Company expressed their resolve to further strengthen mutual coordination and cooperation between the relevant institutions to accelerate construction work on the Diamer Basha Dam Project.

Local Community Support

Local elders and Ulema present at the event termed the Diamer Basha Dam an instrumental project for the socio-economic uplift of the area, reaffirming their support for its expeditious completion — signaling continued community backing for the project as construction activity intensifies.

Conclusion

The commencement of pozzolan extraction at Gini marks a tangible step forward for the Diamer Basha Dam Project, moving it closer to full-scale Main Dam construction through Roller Compacted Concrete placement. With coordinated support from WAPDA, provincial administration, project management, and local community leaders, the milestone reflects sustained institutional momentum behind one of Pakistan’s most significant water infrastructure undertakings, as the project advances toward its next major construction phase.