Upgradation of power supply network near completion
Zar Alam Khan
DIZG (UPPER CHITRAL): The replacement of old wooden poles and transmission lines from the micro-hydro powerhouse at Grovur stream to four villages is nearing completion after which power supply to the villages will further improve, local people told ChitralToday.
The powerhouse was established in the narrow valley of Grovur where the supply wires are frequently hit by falling stones and broken.
The 350 kilowatt powerhouse caters to over 550 houses in the villages of Phashk, Yukum, Mahting, Khruzg, Dizg and Istach.
Since its establishment over two decades ago with financial and technical support from the Aga Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP), the transmission lines had not been repaired or replaced.
Under the patronship of former Yarkhun union council nazim Mr Farman Jaffar, the new cluster organization of the four villages held talks with the AKRSP in September 2021, which led to the approval of the upgradation of powerhouse distribution network at a cost of about Rs12 million.
Work on the upgradation of the supply lines started in December 2021 after the arrival of steel poles and wires arranged by the AKRSP.
The AKRSP provided 130 steel poles and 30,000 feet of cables along with equipment needed for the upgradation of the distribution network from the powerhouse to Yukum, Mahting, Khruzg, Dizg, Istach.
Cluster organization’s President Dilbar Murad Khan and Secretary Qari Gul Azam told ChitralToday that local people worked voluntarily on replacement of the poles and wires and were jubilant as the project was now near completion.
They said the upgradation of the distribution system would greatly improve the power supply to the villages. During inclement weather such as windstorms and flash floods the wooden poles were usually uprooted causing supply disruptions for days.
“We are thankful to the AKRSP for approving the upgradation of the powerhouse’s supply system and arranging the steel poles and wires worth millions of rupees,” the cluster organization president added.
Good job people of all these villages for your volunteer service bcoz of that you do not have to look to corrupt govt for electricity like people of many other parts of Chitral.
Great job! Thanks to AKRSP and public volunteerism for the accomplishment.