First micro-hydel power scheme launched in KP

BATTAGRAM: The first micro-hydel power scheme of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for energy generation with the support of local community was launched in the remote Alai tehsil of Battagram district.
Hazara Commissioner Arbab Mohammad Arif performed the ground-breaking of the scheme. It is being executed in the union council Kass Qalandar under the provincial government’s project titled “Community Mobilisation, Construction, Operation & Maintenance of Community Managed 356 Micro/Mini Hydel Projects in 12 Northern Districts Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
The project is being implemented by a consortium led by Haashar Association, a national non-governmental organisation (NGO). It has the financial support of Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Energy and Power Department.
Battagram Deputy Commissioner Zariful Maani and Chief Executive Officer of Haashir Association Anees Khan were also present on the occasion.The commissioner lauded the work already done on the project. He vowed to extend all-out support for the project implementation. The commissioner was informed that though funds have not been released for the project so far, they were working hard to complete the project at the earliest.
Zarif was quite hopeful of the success of the project, saying that it would serve the energy-starved people of the scenic but inaccessible valley in the best manner. He said that the people of the area were evincing great interest in making the energy project a success.
The deputy commissioner said it was a difficult task to introduce electricity in majority of the villages of the tehsil where even the basic infrastructure for electricity could not be constructed.He, however, expressed satisfaction over the efforts of the implementing partners of the project and the pace of work.