The work and the technique: Tarbela hydroelectric plan, Pakistan

Construction operations for the plant were entrusted to a joint venture led by Impresit-Girola-Lodigiani, which later became part of the group now known as Webuild.

Construction was carried out in three phases, in connection with the river diversion program.

In the first phase, which lasted two years, a temporary structure known as a cofferdam was built parallel to the river, isolating the bank to allow for the construction of a diversion canal and a closure dam with spur dikes. At the same time, work began on the irrigation and power supply tunnels. The excavated rock was used to build the first section of the dam.

The second phase, which lasted three years, was marked by the diversion of the river into the canal and the drying of the riverbed, which made it possible to construct the second section of the dam embankment. Auxiliary dams were built on the left bank, two spillways were excavated to manage the river’s floods, and the first-stage concreting of the powerhouse was completed.

In the final phase, the dam gates were closed, the river was diverted into the tunnels, the main dam was completed, the spillway gates were installed, and the irrigation tunnel was built.

Despite the countless challenges of such a monumental project for its time, and despite the recurring problems caused by the force of the Indus River, the work was successfully completed.