CHITRAL: Work on a micro hydropower station began in Garam Chashma village of Lot Koh valley on Saturday.

The power project is being executed by Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) under its programme for economic advancement and community empowerment with the financial assistance of European Union at a cost of Rs4.2 million. The power station will generate 40 kilowatts of electricity.

SRSP chief executive officer, Shahzada Masoodul Mulk, performed the ground-breaking of the project at a ceremony. He also handed over a cheque of first installment to the president of the male community organisation of the village for the purpose.

The village has been without power supply for last couple of years after a power station was hit by flash floods.

On the occasion, Mr Mulk said the power station was approved as a special case to electrify the town of Garam Chashma as area was also a tourist resort. He said another EU-funded development project ‘Community Driven Local Development’ had been launched in Malakand Division, including Chitral.

“Derive maximum benefits from the project which is being implemented on community participation basis and reduce the backwardness of your area by launching development projects in different sectors,” he urged the people.

Earlier, the district programme manager of SRSP, Tariq Ahmed, briefed the gathering about the salient and technical features of the project.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2016