First Solar Irrigation Project inaugurated in Drosh, Chitral

Chitral, April 14:  The first Solar Irrigation Project was inaugurated at Khairabad Drosh area some 45 KM from here today. This unique project was implemented by Sarhad Rural Support Program (SRSP) and it was financially supported by European Union Program for Economic Advancement and Community Empowerment (PEACE). Shahzada Masoodul Mulk Chief Executive Officer of SRSP was chief guest on the occasion.

In this connection a function was also held at Khairabad village under the chair of Masoodul Mulk. Addressing on the occasion the project Manager Muhammad Zahid said that this is the first solar irrigation project in KPK which was completed with EU-PEACE financial support. He said that it was completed with the cost of 4.3 million which will benefit 240 households and will irrigate 360 Acre of barren lands.

The speakers hailed meritorious services of SRSP in development of Chitral. Local elites of the area said that people of the area were totally deprived from drinking as well as irrigation water. There is a vast land but remain barren despite that Chitral river flowing its beneath but we cannot benefit from River water due to no facility. As well as due to lack of electricity it is not possible to fit electrical water pump on the river.

They thanked SRSP for launching this project as a result the barren land will be irrigated through solar system irrigation project and its water will be reserve in a water tank which will be distributed through streams. Some 80000 liter water will be suck through solar pump which will be store in water tank.

They said that this is a pilot project and it will be exercised in other places of Chitral to irrigate barren land.  The speakers said that there is only 2% cultivable land and after succession of this  project it will also be extended to other parts of Chitral to irrigate barren land. It will bring green revolution in Chitral. On this occasion some school going children demanded for construction of toilets in their school. CEO Shahzada Masoodul Mulk approved and announced to start its construction work.

Qaril  Jamal Nasir, Haji Muhammad Hanif, Tariq Ahmad district Program Manager of SRSP, MPA Sardar Hussain, MNA Shahzada Iftikharuddin, Abdul  Latif president PTI Chitral chapter, Rahmat Ali  Jafardost, Ihsanullah Khan  Board Member and Khaleequz Zaman spoke on the occasion.

A large number of leaders of different parties, civil military officers, heads of line department, representatives of civil societies and people belonging to all walk of life attended the opening ceremony of solar irrigation project.