Hydro-Power: G-B govt approves 13 development projects

GILGIT:

In a bid to subdue the ongoing power crisis, the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government has approved 13 hydro-power projects for the region, it has been learnt.

The projects, which will cost over Rs7 billion, were approved during a high-level meeting chaired by G-B Chief Minister Mehdi Shah on Wednesday, said an official in the chief minister secretariat. The chief minister asked the water and power secretary to complete the projects within the stipulated time, the official added.

G-B Chief Secretary Saifullah Chatha also attended the meeting, which was focused on resolving the ongoing power crisis. The participants also decided to construct a grid station to allow for equal distribution of power to all districts of G-B and called for efforts to control power pilferage.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the official said that if the power department controls power theft it can save at least 48 megawatts electricity.

Published In The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2012.