KP govt begins construction of Balakot hydropower project
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is all set to start construction work on the Balakot Hydropower Project, the largest hydropower project in the province, on the Kunar River in Mansehra district.
According to Cheif Minister’s Advisor on Energy, Himayatullah Khan, the power project will be completed within the next seven years with the financial support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Once completed, it will earn an annual income of Rs15 billion as well as creating employment for 1,400 people.
The adviser said the issue of land acquisition for the project is being settled and special attention is being paid to protect the rights of the people affected by the project.
During his visit to Mansehra, Himayatullah Khan visited the sites of both the 300MW Balakot Hydropower Project and 884MW Suki Kinari Hydropower Project.
He was accompanied by the Mansehra deputy commissioner (DC) and other senior officials. The officials reviewed the progress on the ongoing work on Suki Kinari Hydropower Project, the largest project in the province.
Terming the launch of the province’s largest energy project a major achievement of the present provincial government, the adviser hoped that the completion of the two projects would help stabilise the energy sector, national economy and create employment opportunities.