The first hydropower project along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor-the Karot hydropower station-closed its diversion tunnel gates on Saturday and started to impound water, which will enhance regional connectivity and the local economy, said its operator China Three Gorges Corp. With most construction work of the station completed, the project is the first large-scale hydropower project backed by the Belt and Road Initiative and is expected to go into operation in 2022 as scheduled, the operator said.