MANSEHRA: The Patrind hydropower project has begun the production of 150 megawatts electricity on experimental basis.

It will later be linked with grid stations in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad (Azad Jammu and Kashmir) to provide electricity to the people in their respective areas.

“We have started power production after linking the Kunhar River’s water with the powerhouse by a tunnel. As soon as the transmission lines are laid, electric supply to Mansehra and Muzaffarabad will begin,” Patrind hydropower project (admin) head Mohammad Bashir told reporters here on Monday.

A Korean company, the Star Hydro-Power Limited had begun work on the project in 2011 and finished it earlier this month before beginning production on experimental basis.

It will later be linked to grid stations in Mansehra, Muzaffarabad

“The Wapda has begun laying transmission lines to link this dam with Muzaffarabad grid station. As soon as the work is completed, power supply to Muzaffarabad from it will begin. This is likely to take a couple of months to happen,” said Mr Bashir.

The project chief said the laying of transmission lines to link the dam with Mansehra grid station would begin in the second phase.

“This hydropower project will produce almost 150 megawatts electricity, which is enough to meet the energy needs of Mansehra and Muzaffarabad, and thus, ending loadshedding,” he said.

The dam and tunnel are built on the Kunhar River, which originates from Kaghan valley in Mansehra district.

The officials said the Asian Development Bank had provided $400 million for the project after the Koran firm made a 30 years Power Purchase Agreement with the National Transmission and Dispatch Company, Pakistan’s grid system operator.

Security head of the dam Mazhar Shah said it was one of rare projects, whose execution had taken place without any untoward incident.

He said strict security measures were in place, especially for foreign workers.

ROAD BLOCKED: Angry protesters on Monday blocked the Mansehra-Oghi Road to protest the killing of a man in Barkund area of Mansehra district.

Amir Hafiz was on the way to Mansehra from Khawajgan area when armed men travelling in a jeep opened indiscriminate fire on his car causing his immediate death.

The local residents and family members of the deceased blocked Mansehra-Oghi Road by placing the body there for over an hour.

They demanded the immediate arrest and punishment of killers.

The road was later reopened to traffic following successful talks between protesters and deputy superintendent of police Zulfiqar Jadoon.

The body was handed over the family after the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital doctors performed postmortem on it.

The DSP told reporters that the road was reopened after he assured protesters that killers would be arrested without delay.

He said an FIR had been lodged against unidentified assailants and raids were being carried out for their arrest.

Mohammad Khursheed, a cousin of Amir Hafiz, the family of the deceased didn’t have any dispute with anyone and if the police properly investigated that case, killers could be traced and held easily.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2017