Expenses For Two Major Dam Projects Climb By Rs. 1.9 Trillion

Currency depreciation and inflation have pushed up the expenses for the Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu hydropower projects by nearly Rs. 1.9 trillion.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 31, 2026 · 1:20 PM 1 min read

Key takeaways

The combined cost of two major hydropower projects increased by Rs. 1.896 trillion due to currency depreciation.

The Diamer-Bhasha Dam cost rose by Rs. 642 billion, going from Rs. 479 billion to Rs. 1.121 trillion.

The Dasu Hydropower Project expense jumped by Rs. 1.254 trillion, moving from Rs. 486 billion to Rs. 1.740 trillion.

Cement prices increased by 204 percent from Rs. 530 to Rs. 1,610 per bag.

High-speed diesel prices rose by 472 percent from Rs. 72 to Rs. 414 per liter, while steel and iron bars increased by 268 percent.

A weaker Pakistani currency against the US dollar has driven up the budgets for two large hydropower ventures, creating an extra combined expense of Rs. 1.896 trillion, as reported recently.

Data provided to the National Assembly by the Ministry of Water Resources shows that the Diamer-Bhasha Dam went up by Rs. 642 billion, moving from an initial Rs. 479 billion to reach Rs. 1.121 trillion.

Foreign currency fluctuations drove this price growth, and the ministry noted that an updated PC-I document went to the Ministry of Water Resources.

In the same way, the projected expense for the Dasu Hydropower Project moved from Rs. 486 billion up to Rs. 1.740 trillion, marking a jump of Rs. 1.254 trillion, which equals about a 260 percent rise.

The administration additionally reported that higher rates for petroleum and building supplies added more financial pressure to large public works.

A single bag of cement grew in price by 204 percent, shifting from Rs. 530 to Rs. 1,610. In addition, high-speed diesel saw a 472 percent jump, moving from Rs. 72 up to Rs. 414 for each liter.

Iron and steel bars also saw a huge jump of 268 percent, climbing from Rs. 72,000 to reach Rs. 265,000 for each metric ton.

Questions and answers

How much did the cost of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam increase?

The cost of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam increased by Rs. 642 billion, rising from Rs. 479 billion to Rs. 1.121 trillion.

What caused the increase in project expenses?

The escalation was attributed to the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar, alongside rising petroleum prices and construction material costs.