Gandapur for early completion of Balakot Hydropower Project

PESHAWAR: Terming the 300 megawatts Balakot Hydropower Project (BHPP) as of vital importance to make the self-sufficient in electricity, Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Friday directed the quarters concerned to take immediate steps to remove

impediments to its fast track execution.

Chairing a meeting of the Energy and Power Department, he said that the provincial government would extend all-out support for the fast track completion of the mega project. The chief minister also directed the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO) and the construction company concerned to sit together and settle all issues, said an official communique.

Earlier, the meeting was told that the 300mw Balakot Hydropower Project would be completed in seven years at an estimated cost of Rs95 billion. Officials said that the

power houses would produce electricity of 1143 GWH annually.

The participants were also apprised about the construction of dams, power houses, tunnels, intake structures, residential colonies for staff and approach roads are the main components of the project. In addition to power generation, the BHPP would also create employment opportunities to overcome the pressing unemployment. It was informed that 11.5 percent physical and 22 percent financial progress was made so far while land acquisition for the project has been completed.