Illuminated: Nine micro hydel projects launched in Swat

Beauty of area accentuated and likely to attract tourists

MINGORA: Nine micro hydel projects were launched in Matta tehsil of Swat district to provide uninterrupted power supply to residents of these remote areas on Thursday.

The hydel projects were funded, installed and completed by security forces in Ghat Shoor, Shoafien, Barshoor, Malikabad and Jafarabad in Matta.

Addressing residents of Peochar village, Colonel Hamid Bashir said each hydel power unit was worth Rs551,700 and the entire project cost Rs8 million.

The need

Matta tehsil consists of small villages with a population of around 150,000. Colonel Bashir said the remoteness, inaccessibility and lack of resources caused the area to go without power for up to 22 hours every day. “The electricity lines were disrupted due to flash floods,” he said, “Water And Power Development Authority officials were not interested and apathetic towards the plight of the people.”

Bashir said each unit of the hydel project will provide free power to about 100 houses, a government school and two mosques.

Local political leader Saher Ali said this was a much needed facility and will eliminate the 22-hour load-shedding spells at a low cost.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Nadeem Khan, resident of the area said the lack of power supply has brought life to a halt in the region. “Children have stopped going to schools, and businesses have come to a grinding halt,” he said. “However, we hope progress on the project will resume.”

Added advantages

Khan said tourists would flock to this area very soon as they will realise that it is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also well equipped with facilities.

Shofain Village Defence Committee Chairman Baba Rahmat Ali said due to the installation of these power units, security forces and the locals have made several artificial waterfalls for the units to produce electricity without any hassle. “On one hand there will be a consistent provision of electricity, while on the other, the area will be turned into a hub of beautiful waterfalls,” he added.

Ali said the entire area was destroyed during the military operation. However, development has finally commenced and this project was a manifestation of that.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2015.