PTI govt completed 265 mini macro-hydel power projects in K-P

Energy Department official says work on 67 others underway

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has completed 265 mini macro-hydel power projects (MMHPPs) in 11 different districts aimed at providing inexpensive electricity to people of remote areas of the province

"Till January 30 last, we have completed 265 MMHPPs out of total 356 identified MMHPPs in 11 different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while work on 67 others is in progress and would soon be completed," a senior official of K-P’s energy department told APP on Sunday.

Initially, 356 MMHPPs were identified in 2014 against which feasibility studies of 332 projects were approved and 24 sites were dropped due to various reasons.

Out of the 265 completed projects so far, as many as 15 MMHPPs were completed in Abbottabad, 52 in Battagram, 50 in Chitral, 40 in Swat, 28 in Kohistan and 21 in Shangla.

Likewise, 37 MMHPPs were completed in Upper Dir district, four in Lower Dir, 13 in Buner, one in Mansehra and four in Torghar district. All these projects were completed with the help of different NGOs.

The official said work on 67 MMHPPs is underway in 11 districts of K-P with direction to implementing NOGs and departments to complete it within stipulated time without compromising on quality.

Out of these under-construction projects, the official said six are being constructed in Battagram, five each in Chitral and Swat, seven in Kohistan, four in Shangla, 12 in Upper Dir, five in Buner, 18 in Mansehra and five in Torghar district.

"The unpleasant weather conditions including heavy snowfall, litigations, and shifting of heavy machinery to mountainous areas were major factors behind the delay of these under construction projects," the official said.

He said electricity transmission from most of these MMHPPs had been started already to communities living near these mini dams with a positive socio-economic change being witnessed in their lifestyle.

"The completion scores of water, energy and hydro power projects during the tenure of PTI government is a clear manifestation of fulfillment of the promises made by PTI leadership with people of Pakistan," said Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Provincial Minister for Revenue.

He said opponents had started baseless criticism after PTI Chairman announced the construction of 356MMHPPs in KP while addressing a public meeting in Swat in 2014, he said, while adding that successful construction of 265 projects has proved all criticism of political opponents as totally wrong.