In the rugged mountains of Upper Kohistan, the Dasu Hydropower Project (HPP) launched construction of a new Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Dogah, in an effort to enhance public services for communities relocated under one of Pakistan’s largest hydropower developments. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Shoaib-ur-Rehman Afridi, Director (Social & Resettlement Unit) of Dasu HPP, along with project engineers, consultants, and community representatives, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro on Wednesday. The new BHU will serve as a permanent healthcare facility offering modern medical services to resettled and nearby communities.

“This health unit is designed to offer better access to healthcare and ensure that no family is left behind as development progresses,” Afridi said during the ceremony. “This milestone reflects WAPDA and Dasu HPP’s continued commitment to improving community infrastructure and ensuring better health services for residents affected by the project,” read an official statement issued after the event. The Dasu HPP, being constructed by China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC) with financing from the World Bank, is a flagship initiative in Pakistan’s renewable energy expansion.

Last week, the project relocated the Government Girls Primary School Sigloo to Khursil and began rehabilitation of the Government Boys Primary School Shah Jahan Abad under its Resettlement and Social Development Program.Once fully operational, the Dasu project will generate around 21 billion units of clean electricity annually, helping reduce Pakistan’s reliance on fossil fuels. The first phase, with a generation capacity of 2,160 megawatts, is expected to come online by December 2027.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China