As the main framework and artery of the modern plateau three-dimensional water network in Yunnan Province, the gradual promotion of the Central Yunnan Water Diversion Project is not only related to the water safety of millions of people, but also a key basic project to support the sustainable development of Yunnan's economy and society, and achieve modernization goals in sync with the national level. Its smooth construction will provide solid support for optimizing regional water resource allocation, ensuring ecological security, and promoting high-quality development.

On January 20, 2026, the construction of the second phase of the Yunnan Central Water Diversion Project officially began, marking a crucial step in the construction process of this national dual construction landmark major water conservancy project and the largest investment scale livelihood project in Yunnan Province.

Investing billions to build the main artery of the plateau water network

The Yunnan Central Water Diversion Project is steadily advancing following the principle of unified planning and phased implementation. The first phase of the project, with a total investment of 82.576 billion yuan, serves as the main water transmission line, including water sources and water transmission projects. The construction has entered the final stage. The second phase of the project, which was subsequently launched, played the role of branch and supporting, divided into two parts: backbone and supporting. Among them, the second phase supporting project with a total investment of 32.909 billion yuan has started construction in September 2022. So far, the total investment of the entire project has exceeded 115.5 billion yuan.

The second phase backbone project launched this time is a key throat connecting the first phase backbone and the second phase supporting facilities, with a total investment of 9.994 billion yuan. The controlling project is the 13.48-kilometer-long Xuefengshan Tunnel on the Weishan Main Line, which plays an important connecting role in the construction of the project.

By the end of 2025, a series of decisive progress has been made in the construction of the project: the first phase of the water conveyance project has cumulatively connected 627.9 kilometers, accounting for 94.6% of the total length; The tunnel excavation of the second phase supporting project has been completed by 90.5%, and the construction of pipelines and box culverts has been completed by 62.8%. The water source project has fully entered the equipment installation stage, laying a solid foundation for the final completion and water supply of the project.

Strategic project benefiting millions of people

The Central Yunnan Water Diversion Project is not only an infrastructure to solve the engineering water shortage problem in the central Yunnan region, but also a livelihood project of great strategic significance for achieving the medium and long-term development goals of Yunnan Province. The project focuses on urban living and industrial water supply, while also taking into account agricultural irrigation and ecological water replenishment.

After completion, it is expected that the average annual water intake will reach 3.403 billion cubic meters, including 2.231 billion cubic meters for urban production and life, 672 million cubic meters for ecological water replenishment, and 500 million cubic meters for agricultural irrigation. The project benefits a land area of 36900 square kilometers and a population of approximately 11.12 million, effectively ensuring the water supply for the central Yunnan urban agglomeration and promoting sustainable regional economic and social development. Keywords: engineering construction, engineering construction news, water conservancy engineering

With the launch of the second phase of the backbone project, the water diversion system in central Yunnan has been further improved. This major water conservancy project, which carries the hope of Yunnan's future development, is steadily turning from a blueprint into a reality, and will provide solid water resources support for Yunnan to achieve socialist modernization in sync with the rest of the country.Editor/Cheng Liting