LAHORE: The PC-I of the 7,100MW Bunji hydropower project, which is part of the Indus Cascade, has been sent to the Planning Commission for approval. It was informed in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Chaudhry Muhammad Barjees Tahir. The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) gave a briefing on various projects located in Gilgit-Baltistan. The Wapda chairman said that the prime minister attaches highest importance to the exploitation of hydropower potential, which exists in Gilgit-Baltistan. The Indus Cascade, located in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the future’s energy corridor for Pakistan, he said, adding that the PC-I of the 7,100MW Bunji hydropower project has been sent to the Planning Commission for approval. The PC-I of some of the projects on Indus Cascade are yet to be readied, he said, adding that to execute such projects in the private sector, Wapda has submitted a policy to the Ministry of Water and Power for approval. The chairman also said that on the directives of the prime minister, Wapda is establishing two technical institutes one each at Chillas and Gilgit to train the locals in three-year batches. The manpower, trained so, will then be employed on Wapda projects. However, the locals, who wish to study further after their training in these institutes, will also be given admission in Wapda University to be set up at Tarbela. The Water and Power Development Authority will provide technical support to Gilgit-Baltistan government to exploit their hydro potential, he said. The Water and Power Development Authority chairman also briefed the meeting about the matters relating to financial assistance of KFW of Germany and AFD of France for the 34MW Harpo and the 40MW Basho hydropower projects. The issues regarding Satpara Dam also came under discussion during the meeting.
