Rs300 million allocated for electrification in Chitral: minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Thursday informed the National Assembly that Rs 300 million was allocated for upgradation of 132 kilowatt grid station and electrification of villages in Chitral.

He was responding to a calling attention notice of members of National Assembly Molana Abdul Akbar Chitrali and Shahida Akhter Ali regarding delay in laying of electricity transmission lines to Union Councils Broze and Ayon and villages Kesu, Arsun, Ashreit and Arndu despite release of funds.

The minister told the house that Rs 150 million would be spent on upgradation of grid station and Rs 150 million on laying of transmission lines and electrification.

The finance ministry would soon release the allocated funds, he added.

MNA Abdul Akbar Chitrali said the present power station in Chitral was inadequate to meet the power needs of the local population.

Omar Ayub said the upgradation of power station would be carried out as the existing infrastructure was obsolete.

He said a plan was under consideration to get hydel electricity from Tajikistan for supply to areas of Chitral and Gilgit.–APP