CHITRAL, Sept 24: A mini hydropower station completed by the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) with the financial assistance of Australian government became operational here on Monday. The powerhouse built in Sarujalik Bumburate will provide electricity to at least 700 households.

Peter Oborne, a British journalist based in Islamabad, inaugurated the power station at a function amid clapping and slogans of the Kalash community.

Speaking at the gathering of both the Kalash and Muslim communities on the occasion, the chief executive officer of SRSP, Shahzada Masoodul Mulk said the power station would be run on social enterprises basis and the accrued income would be utilised on power station’s maintenance and development of education and health sectors.

He said the power station would be jointly managed by SRSP and the local community for its efficient delivery.

Mr Masoodul Mulk said the project would save the oak and deodar forest from being cut ruthlessly for heating purposes by the local population as they would use the cheap electricity instead of wood.

He said the life standard of local communities would be improved as they would use the electricity for commercial purposes and generate additional income.

He said the superfluous amount of fruit in the valley would now be preserved with the electric appliances for its marketing. He said the water heated in the power station would be supplied to the collective places of the villages through hosepipes during the winter season when the temperature reached freezing point.

The chief guest Peter Oborne, speaking on the occasion, said he was pleased to see the people of this remote area getting electricity with the financial assistance of Australia.

“Being a British national I highly appreciate the Australians for this contribution but in the field of cricket I will never appreciate them as they are our rivals,” he said in a lighter vein.

He said the Kalash people were known throughout the world as primitive people with unique culture and ways of life and he was amused to see their valley electrified which would also promote tourism.

He also appreciated the peaceful atmosphere of the valley and said that tourism always yearned for such serene places gifted with mesmerising natural beauty and the provision of electricity was yet another boon for its progress.

The local communities were represented by Abdul Majeed who thanked the SRSP and the Australian government for the project to provide them with electricity.The chairperson of Rural Support Programme Network, Shandana Khan, member of SRSP board of directors, Ihsanullah Khan, regional programme manager of Aga Khan Rural Support Programme Engr Sardar Ayub were also present on the occasion.

Later, Kalash children enthralled the guests by their cultural show.