Centre allocates over Rs 7 billion for power infrastructure in ex-Fata districts

The government has prioritized uplift of electricity infrastructure in the merged districts of former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and has allocated record Rs 7.254 billion for electricity installations' rehabilitation, reconstruction, new grid stations and village electrification.

This was revealed at a meeting on matters relating to electricity in the merged district of former Fata under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Power, Omar Ayub Khan. Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs was also present at a meeting which was attended by parliamentarians from these Districts, officials from Tribal Areas Electric Supply Company, Peshawar Electric Supply Company, Pepco and Power Division.

During the meeting it was revealed that work has already begun on construction of new feeders in various parts of these Districts and contractors have been mobilized. Work on new grid station and the laying of new transmission lines has also begun and a total of Rs 3.937 billion has been earmarked for the activity. It was revealed that out of Rs 2 billion earmarked for reconstruction and rehabilitation of electricity installations Rs. 1.4 billion have been disbursed. Similarly out of Rs 1.278 billion ADP, Rs 816 million has been released. A total of 440 villages of merged districts will be electrified with the allocation.

A total of 94 feeders in the merged districts are either to be bifurcated, reconstructed or constructed under the allocated fund. These includes 11 feeders in North Waziristan, 10 in Bajour, 14 in Mohmand, 14 in Khyber, 11 in Orakzai, 15 in Kurram and 8 in South Waziristan District.

Federal Minister for Power informed the meeting that Power Division has developed project management software that will keep complete record of all projects which will not only ensure transparency but will also help in timely execution and completion of projects contributing toward reduction in cost due to escalation related to time.

The federal minister while paying gratitude to the merged districts parliamentarians for their commitment to extend their full support for the installation of meters in phases in their areas said that Power Division has kept the uplift of these areas at its priority. He said that many projects are specially designed for these areas. He said that Power Division is also planning to introduce AMI metering system instead of conventional meters to ensure complete transparency in meter reading.

Omar Ayub Khan directed Tesco CEO to enforce bio-metric attendance of its officials deputed in these districts to ensure their presence and speedy redressal of complaints.

Parliamentarians appreciated the Federal Minister for taking the electricity matters of merged districts on priority. They agreed in principal to introduce metering for electricity for the consumers in phases in these areas.

Parliamentarians also threw light on issues specific to their constituencies pertaining to electricity. They also put forth proposals for improving the present system.

Parliamentarians who attended the meeting included Sajid Hussain Turi, Mohsin Dawar, Gul Zafar Khan, Gul Dad Khan, Munir Khan Orakzai, Ali Wazir, Muhammad Iqbal Khan and Abdul Shakoor.