The Balakot Hydropower Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reached a major milestone as engineers successfully diverted the flow of the Kunhar River, marking a significant step in the project’s construction phase. The Chinese firm Gezhouba Group Company Limited, part of China Energy Engineering Group, completed the river diversion and blockage using the single-side blocking technique.
According to Gwadar Pro, the process redirected the river’s flow through a newly constructed diversion tunnel, allowing work to begin on the main dam structure. The redirection was carried out after months of groundwork and hydraulic calculations to ensure structural stability and environmental safety.
Officials from the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO), the Asian Development Bank, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank attended the milestone event. They praised the project as a symbol of strong coordination and partnership between Pakistan and China under the energy cooperation framework.
The Balakot Hydropower Project, located on the Kunhar River, will generate 300 megawatts of electricity upon completion. The project includes a 49-meter-high dam, an underground powerhouse, and a 9.1-kilometer headrace tunnel. Officials said the diversion phase marks the beginning of full-scale construction on the main structure.
PEDO Chief Executive Officer Habibullah Shah said the project has already created over 2,000 local jobs and boosted related industries such as energy services, construction materials, and transportation. He added that the Balakot Hydropower Project represents not only an engineering achievement but also an economic opportunity for the region.
Experts noted that the successful river diversion demonstrates technical excellence and signals faster progress toward the project’s completion, ensuring sustainable energy development in northern Pakistan.
