GUJRANWALA, Aug 4: The water and power development authority has sought the feasibility report about the upgradation of Nandipur power station following expanding the upper Chenab canal.

A source told Dawn here on Wednesday that the government wanted to increase production by upgrading small power projects to cope with the crisis. The irrigation department had prepared an estimate of the proposed power grid station at Nandipur last year which was forwarded to the government, but no further progress had been made.

A senior irrigation official pointed out that the upper Chenab canal had a capacity of 6,400 cusec water which could be enhanced up to 11,000 cusecs after expanding it.

Experts expressed the hope that power crisis would be overcome by upgrading the small power projects on a priority basis, besides launching of new projects at suitable places.