Swiss envoy inaugurates 800 KW hydro power project in Yarkhun valley.
By: Gul Hamaad Farooqi
CHITRAL: Swiss Ambassador to Pakistan, Thomas Kolly, today inaugurated an 800 KV micro hydro power constructed by Aga Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP) in Yarkhun Valley. The project costed 194 million rupees, with most of the finances coming from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Swiss Ambassador and the SDC team also visited the newly established power house, and they were briefed about the project.
Thomas Kolly highly hailed local people for their hardworking, hospitality, and peace. He said that this is the first stair of their development and this power house will bring positive changes in their socio economics condition and daily life.
Miss Najma, the project’s Sales Officer told the delegation that this is the ever first modern power house using prepaid digital meters, in which the consumers can load balance and get electricity at the rate of rupees 4 per unit. When their balance gets finished, the power supply stops, she said.
Local people also presented traditional Chitrali and Hunza Caps as a gift to their guests.
Prominent educationist and president of the local society Sher Wali Khan Aseer in his welcome address said that this is a remote area where there are no opportunities of employment, or earning livelihood. Hence residents of the area go to out districts for hardworking and the women folk working on handicraft at their home but they need a proper vocational and skill development center. He also demanded for more support from SDC and Swiss government to supply electricity to local consumer on subsidize rate so as to enabling them to use electric appliances, and to establish a cool store for keeping fruit and vegetable in cool store to save them from decomposing.
Other guests of AKF, AKDN and AKRSP also stressed upon the local people to work hard and keep their unity and involve their women in development processes.
Local artists entertained the guest with folk music.
