AFD approves 15m euros for upgrading powerhouse in Chitral

CHITRAL: The efforts of the Member National Assembly yielded results as the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), French donor agency, has approved 15 million euros for upgrading the Wapda-run powerhouse in the town.

“The electricity issue in Chitral town is a longstanding problem of the people. I have been working on it through various sources soon after my election as MNA.

The approval of 15 million euros by the French government for the project is a major development,” MNA Shahzada Iftikharuddin told The News on Tuesday.

The MNA said that he had met the French ambassador in Islamabad in July 2013, seeking financial assistance to upgrade the powerhouse to resolve power crisis in the town.

“Two AFD country directors, Denis Cassat and Jackie, visited Chitral in May 2014 and September 2015. I had briefed them about the vitality of the project in detail,” he recalled.

Shahzada Iftikhar said the work on upgrading the powerhouse would start once modalities between the AFD and departments concerned were finalised in Islamabad.

The prime minister had already approved 30 megawatt for the powerhouse from the Golen Gol power project, he added.

He also said that financial approval for the electricity transmission lines in various parts of the district would be accorded in February next years. 

“The whole district would get electricity and there will be no discrimination with any area,” he said, adding, “The prime minister is keen on developing Chitral and the district will enter into a new era of prosperity upon completion of the road projects.”