Balakot & Kalam-Gabral power projects: CM wants work on purchase of land expedited

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed the authorities concerned to expedite work on the purchase of land for Balakot and Kalam-Gabral Hydro power projects.

The chief minister issued the directives while chairing the 15th meeting of the Hydel Development Fund Board. The board approved the estimated budget for the new and ongoing projects being executed by Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO). Provincial minister for finance Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amjad Ali Khan, administrative secretaries and members of the board attended the meeting, said a handout.

The meeting reviewed the progress on implementation of the decisions taken in the last board meeting and approved the estimated budget for the financial year 2021-22 for the new and ongoing projects being executed by Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation.

The estimated budget for 20 ongoing and 19 new schemes was proposed at Rs20.00 billion.

The forum also accorded approval to the business model for the funding of ongoing and news projects besides giving go ahead for the financial audit of Hydel Development Fund by a well-reputed firm.

The meeting was informed that annual accounts of Hydel Development Fund have also been prepared for the financial year 2020-21.

The chief minister said that the current financial year was of vital importance for the execution of development projects in the pipeline.

He added that the provincial government wanted to see physical progress on the development projects.

The chief minister also directed the authorities of PEDO to submit a detailed progress report on the ongoing energy projects especially micro hydropower projects within a week’s time.