MANSEHRA: The Batagram district administration has completed work on six micro-hydropower projects, while work on 14 more such projects is underway.

“We have been generating electricity from six micro hydropower projects. Work on another 14 projects will be over soon,” deputy commissioner Zariful Maani told reporters in his office on Tuesday.

The deputy commissioner said the government had announced 350 micro-hydropower projects for the province and 39 of them were to be executed in Batagram district.

“The feasibility study on 19 hydropower projects is underway and as necessary work is compete, the work on these electricity generating projects would also be started,” he said. Mr Maani said over 10,000 households would benefit from the six micro-hydropower projects meant to produce 1260 kilowatts electricity. “We have started the supply of electricity to the tehsil municipal committee for streetlights, which is a very economical option,” he said.

DC says work on 14 more such projects underway

The deputy commissioner said work on all six hydropower projects had been completed in remote Allai tehsil, where the government was also taking steps for its development.

“I have visited the site of the completed projects and met local people and found them to be very happy. They assured me of all-out support for the execution of future projects,” he said.

Mr Maani said Batagram district had huge water and natural resources and therefore, 102 more hydropower projects could be initiated there. He said the government wanted to use all those resources for the region’s development.

The deputy commissioner said the basic health units would be established in the area to cater to local population.

He also said women teachers would be given accommodation in a bid to promote girls education in the tehsil.

There is a likelihood of PTI chairman Imran Khan and Chief Minister Pervez Khattak visiting Allai together soon to inaugurate the supply of electricity.

RIVALS KILL MAN: A man was killed over an old enmity in Saddar area here on Tuesday. Chan Bibi complained to the police that her husband, Habibur Rehman, was on the way home when gunmen led by Ahsan Khan killed him and fled.

She said her family had shifted to Mansehra from Palisa area of Kohistan after developing enmity with Ahsan Khan.

The police registered an FIR against seven suspects and began investigation. However, no arrests were made until night. In another incident, a man was killed and his cousin suffered serious injuries over a domestic issue in Gari Habibullah area of Mansehra district.

The family of the deceased, Mohammad Sadiq, and the injured, Mohammad Yasir, named Mohammad Farooq, Ghulam Hussain and Sabir Rasheed as attackers.

The police registered an FIR and began investigation to apprehend accused who managed to escape after firing.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2015