Dasu Dam became the most expensive project?

The government of Pakistan has conditionally approved a major cost increase for the Dasu Hydropower Project, now budgeted at Rs. 1.74 trillion — a 240% jump from its original estimate of Rs. 479 billion.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECNEC), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, gave the green signal to support ongoing loan talks, including a $1 billion request from the World Bank.

This massive budget hike follows serious delays in land acquisition, increased security needs after militant attacks, and poor coordination between involved stakeholders.

The cost of electricity generated by the project has also increased, now reaching Rs 8.79 per unit, raising concerns about the project’s long-term economic viability.