MANSEHRA, March 18: Work on the 131 MW, Allai Khwar power project, has been restarted following the deployment of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) in the area, Dawn has learnt.

The work on the project was suspended on Nov 7, 2007 when over 180 Chinese engineers and other workers had left the area and shifted to Islamabad following the launching of the Swat operation.

The chief administrator of the project, Mohammad Aslam, told this correspondent by telephone that the Chinese and 350 Pakistani engineers had returned and started work on the project.

The Ding-Fung Electric Corporation of China had started work on the power generation project in 2003 with an estimated cost of Rs34 billions and the project was scheduled to be completed in 2007.

But due to bad weather and law and order situation it could not be completed in time and now this project will be completed in 2011.

Mr Aslam said that the work on the two-kilometer Allai-Thakot Tunnel was still underway and so far 51 percent work of the tunnel was completed.

He added that work on the right and left abutments was about to complete following which other related sections would be constructed.

He said that the local people were cooperative and helpful to the Chinese and they also offered them the security but it was the responsibility of the state.