MANSEHRA: Though a lockdown has been enforced across Mansehra district, work on the Suki Kanari hydropower project in Kaghan valley hasn’t come to a halt.

“Work on this 885 megawatts energy project is in progress. However, we have adopted all measures suggested by the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus,” project deputy director (commercial and technical affairs) Bilal Khan told reporters on Thursday.

He said the project’s workers were asked to stay at sites 24/7 or go home on leave.

Mr Bilal said all workers were screened for coronavirus, while they sanitised their hands and took other protective measures before going to work.

CM aide says he’s conveyed concern to DC

Special adviser to the chief minister on population Ahmad Hussain Shah, who hailed from Kaghan valley, said he had conveyed his reservations about the continuation of work on the project to the deputy commissioner.

“There is a possibility of the outbreak of coronavirus due to large gathering of workers at project sites. I am concerned about the safety of workers, so I asked the deputy commissioner to ensure their protection from coronavirus,” he said.

Local PTI leader Taj Mohammad Khan Swati said lockdown meant suspension of all sorts of activities and staying of the people indoors but the continuation of work on the power project was its violation.

“Social distancing is highly important to contain the outbreak of Covid-19. If over 800 labourers working at each of 18 tunnels, how this valley can be protected from the deadly virus,” he said.

Mr Swati said he had spoken to the deputy commissioner of Hazara division seeking an immediate suspension of work on the Suki Kanari project.

STRATEGY DEVELOPED: The district administration has developed a strategy to ensure the effective enforcement of the government’s orders for the fight against coronavirus.

“I want the enforcement of the government’s orders everywhere in the district to contain Covid-19. However, maintaining peace in the district should be our top priority,” deputy commissioner Aurangzeb Haider Khan told a meeting, which was attended by heads of various departments here on Thursday.

The DC said he had invoked Section 1898 of CrPC to ensure the people’s safety and maintenance of peace in the district during the current outbreak of coronavirus.

SALARY DISBURSEMENT: The National Bank of Pakistan has begun transferring the salary of over 100,000 government employees in Mansehra and Battagram districts to their bank accounts. The initiative is a precautionary measure against coronavirus, NBP regional head (retails) Nadeem Ahmad NBP told reporters on Thursday.

He also said the bank’s designated staff members had been visiting branches across the region to ensure the smooth functioning of ATMs with adequate cash deposits.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2020