The main structures of the 720MW Karot Hydropower Project (HPP) being constructed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have almost achieved completion.
The construction of the powerhouse, spillway and dam of the project that is being developed on River Jhelum is in its final stages.
Falling under the jurisdiction of two districts i.e. Rawalpindi and Kotli in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, work on the project started in December 2016 and on November 20 this year, the Karot HPP finally closed the Diversion Tunnels Gates (three in all) to start Stage One of impounding the reservoir. The development has been declared a major milestone achieved in the key project.
The reservoir of the Karot HPP extends 27km upstream up to the Azad Pattan area. Stage One of the reservoir impoundment was initially expected to take around 35 hours to elevate the water level up to 423m from 393m, but the desired level was attained successfully in just 28 hours.
A press release from the project claims that the Karot HPP has the best management practices in place to protect the community, staff and workers.
Moreover, special measures have been taken to protect and conserve the flora and fauna upstream as well as downstream because of the impoundment related impacts