Power plant inaugurated in Upper Dir

E-Paper | March 04, 2026

UPPER DIR: A hydropower house with the capacity of 75 kilowatt was inaugurated in Kumrat area of remote Kohistan valley in Upper Dir district which would provide electricity to over 2,000 people of the area.

The powerhouse was established by Sarhad Rural Support Programme with the collaboration of European Union.

A ceremony was organised at Kumrat valley to inaugurate the project. Operation Commander, Pakistan Army, Brig Rao Mohammad Aamir Yaseen was the chief guest on the occasion.

SRSP regional programme manager Noor Ajab and local elders were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Brig Yaseen said that establishment of the powerhouse was a great step, as people of Kumrat would get electricity without suspension. He said that Kumrat was one of the scenic tourist spots in Pakistan and tourism would get a boost when tourists would know about the availability of electricity in the area. He appreciated the role of SRSP in the development of Upper Dir.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2016

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May 24, 2016 11:28am

congratulation to the people of Kumrat

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Rehan

May 24, 2016 01:30pm

Needed aid and technology from EU even for a 75kw unit?

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M.Saeed

May 24, 2016 05:55pm

During 1975, during Z.A. Bhutto Government, a Project named "100 Small Hydroelectric Power Stations Project" was started based upon perennial streams in the Northern Areas. It had small locally made water turbines and generators of 150 to 500 KW capacities, all made by some Gujranwala based industries. Now, we are fast rewind deep into the back-age.

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Observer

May 24, 2016 08:17pm

technology transfer from China?

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May 24, 2016 11:47pm

@Rehan Rehan Aid agencies do not work on large projects alone. Small projects are equally important. As I said this is about a 1.5 cr Pak rupees project. Sometimes that becomes an impossible amount for small communities to gather. And then foreign agencies bring in execution agencies as well, who bring in a world of experience You will be amazed to know that China today has close to 1lakh MW of SHP installed capacity !

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Naqvi

May 25, 2016 11:20am

A nice step but uninterrupted sounds crazy. Here is how. 2000 people = 250 families at least. Means 250 houses and an average house will on average consume 500 watts each. 250X500= 125000 watts that equals to 125 kw. Its still short of 50 kw. Combine it with solar and this gap will definitely get reduced.

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May 25, 2016 12:52pm

@Naqvi WRONG !! I live in a big urban area and my house ( a 2000 sq feet construction) consumes about 300 units per month in non summer months. How do U assume that a small urban house will consume 500 units a month ? My idea is about 100 units a month. Now recalculate.

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Iftikhar Husain

May 25, 2016 04:51pm

These type of projects can also benefit other areas in that nbelt that will improve the life of the population. It is a good news.

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