KOHAT, Sept 15: The Kohat Development Authority has allotted 50 kanals of land to Wapda for installation of a new 132KV grid station in Kohat which has raised hopes for solution of long-standing problem of low voltage in Darra Adamkhel, Hangu , KDA Township and other adjacent parts.

Wapda authorities when contacted told Dawn that there had been only three grid stations functioning in Kohat for the last 29 years. The first grid station situated at the Rawalpindi road with a capacity of 132KVA was installed in 1973. The second grid station is situated in the cantonment area and it has only 66 KV power.

The third grid station called Lachi produces 132 KVA and it was energised in 1986. It supplies electricity to the whole of southern Kohat besides some villages of Punjab.

But since late eighties the grid stations had become insufficient for the increasing load as a result of rapid expansion of the city. The electricity demand had almost doubled during these years and there was a need for a new high-power grid station in the area especially for Darra Adamkhel where all arms manufacturing factories use electricity.

The Wapda authorities say that with the installation of a new grid station the problem of load management and low voltage would be resolved for the next at least eight to 10 years.