Chinese engineer lauded for role in Diamer-Bhasha project

Chinese engineer lauded for role in Diamer-Bhasha project as he earns respect of the Pakistani colleagues for professionalism and dedication.

A Chinese engineer has dedicated several years to working on the construction of a record-setting dam in northern Pakistan, earning the respect of his Pakistani peers for his professionalism and commitment in his role as quality manager for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project.

Currently being built in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Diamer-Bhasha Dam will stand 272 meters tall and is expected to become a landmark of modern engineering. Designed to significantly enhance Pakistan’s water storage and power generation capacity, it is a flagship symbol of China-Pakistan cooperation. Once completed, it will be the world’s tallest roller compacted concrete dam, with a 4.5 million kilowatt installed capacity, capable of generating about 18.1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

Local media in Pakistan have likened the dam to the country’s version of China’s “Three Gorges Project.” As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, numerous Chinese engineers and workers are contributing to the dam’s construction. Among them, Tuo Yu serves as the project’s quality manager and has played a key role by leveraging his experience from similar projects in China. Tuo explained that once completed, the dam would reach the marked level on the mountain and form a vast upstream reservoir, transforming the landscape.

Upon arriving at the site, the team faced serious logistical challenges, including limited access across the river. Tuo and his team quickly designed and built three cableway bridges over the river, enabling vital equipment to reach the site for the next construction phase. “We built those bridges in harsh winter conditions, braving strong winds and sub-zero temperatures,” Tuo recalled. “The entire team worked through the nights in heavy winter clothing to stay on schedule. Any delay in building the bridges would have pushed back progress on the opposite bank by a month, making this phase a turning point for the entire project.”

Since beginning his career in 2013, Tuo has spent over a decade contributing to hydropower development in Pakistan, including work on the Tarbela Hydropower Station and now the Diamer-Bhasha Dam. His strong work ethic and technical skills have earned him deep appreciation from his Pakistani colleagues.

“He’s truly commendable for his expertise and efforts. I really value his teamwork and the guidance he provides to our engineering team,” said Zeeshan Ullah Baig, a Pakistani quality engineer.