MINGORA, June 27: Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti inaugurated work on 82 megawatt Mataltan hydropower project in Swat district on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that on completion of the project 10 per cent of the total generated power would be supplied to local population. The project would be completed in five years at a cost of Rs15 billion.

He said that Mataltan and Dral hydropower projects would jointly produce 120 megawatt to resolve energy crisis. He said that the Asian Development Bank would provide funds for the projects.

Mr Hoti said that the government would open a new civil hospital and school for boys in Kalam valley. Besides, a tourism  park would also be established in Kalam. He said that the provincial government would spend Rs130 million on the rehabilitation of water channels and supply schemes in Kalam and surrounding areas.

He said that the ANP government had rendered sacrifices for restoration of peace in Swat district and it was now taking steps for revival of tourism in the area.

APP ADDS: The chief minister said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had taken lead over other federating units in initiating projects to overcome energy crisis.

He said that under the hydropower generation plan, the provincial government would develop 24 medium size hydel projects having total generation capacity of 2100 MW over next five to seven years. Completion of these projects would certainly give a sigh of relief to people from loadshedding.

Mr Hoti told the gathering that royalty of power generating districts had been doubled from 5 to 10 per cent.