At a meeting with MNA Chitral Shahzada Iftikhar Uddin, Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif promised early start of work on the electrification of entire Chitral valley from Golen Gol Project. Federal Minister Khwaaja Asif also informed MNA Chitral that Golen Gol transmission line shall now be passed via Lowari Tunnel to ensure early completion of the project. It is hoped that once implemented this project will usher into a new era of development in District Chitral as it will also meet the commercial energy requirements to cover subjects like industrialization i.e. provision of electricity to the planned Marble City at Gang which is expected to provide jobs to more than 10,000 people. After the inclusion of the project in the budget 2016/17 in June, the original PC-1 of Rs 3.47 billion was increased to Rs. 4.10 billion and later to Rs. 5.242 billion to include three new Grid Stations at Drosh, the planned Marble City at Gang and Kaqlasht (Upper Chitral). It may be recalled that after addressing a press conference along with PESCO (WAPDA) officials at Terich Mir Hotel, MNA Chitral had started the survey and PC-1 was prepared in May 2016 and the project was finally included in the budget 2016/17. After approval of the PC-1 at the Planning Commission expected in another one month, the project will be sent for approval to the Prime Minister for formal approval at Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC). It is expected that after approval from ECNEC the practical implementation work will be started by PESCO in 2017. People of Chitral will take pride in the fact that this is the biggest village electrification plan in entire KP and areas to be covered under the plan include Arandu Gol, Damel, Langurbat, Arandu Khas, Asurate, Urtsoon, Jinjeretkuh, Madaklasht, Beoli Bala, Drosh Gol, Kesu, Ayun, Broz, Sheedi. Gahrate, Bumborate, Birir, Rumboor, Karimabad Valley. Partsan, Shogore, Arkari, Besti, Owir Arkari, Momi, and all areas of Garam Chashma including Begusht and areas up to Gobor, Arkari, Golain, Phastey,in Lower Chitral. While in Upper Chitral, it includes all areas between Kargina and Yarkhun Lasht, Laspur Valley from Gasht to Sor Laspur. In Torkhow, it includes Melp, Khot and all areas in between up to Sor Rech and Ruwa and in Mulkhow area it will include all areas up to Shagrome Terich. A new 132 KV transmission line and grid station at Qaqlasht is also part of the plan. After completion of this project, the entire Chitral will become 100% electrified and every house will be connected to the Golen Gol project. The MNA Chitral had written a letter to the prime minister on 27-5-2014 and managed to get approval for 30MW for Chitral. The 30MW electricity demand for Chitral from Golen Gol by MNA Chitral Shahzada Iftikhar Uddin was approved on 4th June 2014 and was formally announced on 28th Nov 2015. MNA Chitral had also raised the demand wit PM Nawaz Sharif on 22nd July 2015 at Kuragh visit of the PM where Shandoor Road and Garam Chashma Road demands were also made. All roads demands as well as electrification projects both the 30MW from Golen Gol costing Rs. 5.242 billion and upgradation of Chitral WAPDA Power House costing Rs. 2.37 billion have been included in the budget 2016/17 and now are moving towards implementation.]]>
