increased Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project cost’

‘Delay in execution

MULTAN: State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali has said that 10,000 megawatts cheap electricity will be added to the system in the beginning of 2018.

Addressing an inaugural ceremony of Maan Kot 132KV grid station on Monday, he said that the government was making efforts to end the power crisis. He claimed that the PML-N would again form the government in the centre after winning the 2018 general elections. He said that the government had launched several development projects, including China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He said that $900 million dollars had been spent on the Tarbela Dam extension project and the government had saved $120 million due to its effective strategy. The minister said that the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project cost had gone up to Rs 450 billion from Rs 280 billion due to delay in executing the project while work on Thar coal power project had been accelerated. He said that the government had devised a planning soon after taking over the offices and started a number of power projects, besides improving transmission and distribution system. He said that the consumers were provided relief worth Rs 85 billion under the head of fuel price adjustment. He said that the ministry had ensured effective monitoring of power distribution companies, which had improved their performance. He announced one-month basic salary as bonus to the Multan Electric Power Company workers, who remained involved in the establishment of the Maan Kot grid station.

Speaking on the occasion, Mepco Chief Executive Fazalullah Durrani said that the company was providing the best services to its 5.1 million consumers in south Punjab. Two transformers of 10/13MVA had been installed at the Maan Kot grid station and 20.5km transmission line had been laid down to provide electricity to the grid station at a cost of Rs 230.1 million, he added. He said that the grid station would entertain six feeders in Salar Wahin, New Mati Tal, Nawan Sher, New Musa Pak, Jhok Wains and New Sangi rural areas.