The Dasu Hydropower Project (DHPP) has achieved a major construction milestone with the successful breakthrough of the Uchar B tunnel, completing all seven tunnels under the Karakoram Highway (KKH-01) relocation package. The 953-meter Uchar B tunnel joins the 673-meter Uchar A tunnel in ensuring uninterrupted road connectivity despite the creation of the project’s reservoir.
The tunnels, located in the mountainous Upper Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are part of essential relocation works for sections of the KKH that will be submerged due to the hydropower reservoir. Designed to guarantee safe and continuous transportation, these tunnels are crucial for regional mobility once the project becomes operational.
Construction works were executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation in coordination with Water and Power Development Authority. Photos from the site show engineers and workers in protective gear at the tunnel portal, surrounded by rocky terrain and reinforced slopes, with concrete lining ensuring structural stability in challenging geological conditions.
In parallel, WAPDA released approximately Rs200 million to the Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO) for the electrification of four tehsils in the Dasu region. The project includes extending transmission lines, installing transformers, and developing distribution networks to deliver electricity to remote and underserved communities. Transmission infrastructure is nearing completion, with distribution works expected to follow shortly.
The completion of the KKH-01 relocation tunnels and the impending electrification initiative will significantly enhance regional living standards, support local economic activity, and improve access to essential services across Upper Kohistan, complementing the broader objectives of the Dasu Hydropower Project.