Gul Hamaad Farooqi
CHITRAL -Residents of Mojgoal and Reshun areas initiated snow removing from water channel of Reshun hydro power plant’s powerhouse on self-help basis.
A big avalanche hit the water channel of Reshun powerhouse on March 17, suspending water supply to the powerhouse subsequently the power generation was badly affected.
Due to hurdle in water supply, Reshun powerhouse of 4.2 megawatt capacity, could not generate electricity to the optimal due to which consumers had to suffer 18 hours loadshedding.
The Pakhtunkhwa Hydro Developmental Organisation did not have funds for snow removing therefore the residents volunteered the task at the risk of their lives. For this purpose two persons enter inside the tunnel by tiding their backs with rope while 6 persons hold the rope to prevent them from felling down. They went 80 feet deep inside the ice tunnel where temperature is as low as -10 Centigrade, to ensure the flow of water.
They dig several wells in water channel to release the water flow. Salahuddin and other volunteers of Mojgoal area told this scribe that they were performing the task at the risk of their lives. They expressed gratitude to Mastuj AC Minhas Uddin who visited the site frequently to encourage them. Reshun powerhouse Line Superintendent Akhtar Nawaz Khan revealed, “We have earmarked Rs40,000 for this purpose.” He stated that they collected Rs3.5 million revenue on monthly basis from their consumers.
Expert contractors and local people informed that it was very risky job because they were digging well in avalanche of 1 kilo meter long and 200 feet high and if this task will perform by the C&W it would cost Rs4 million.
Resident of the area were highly grateful to volunteer for removing hurdles from water channel of Reshun powerhouse. They demanded the provincial government to earmark sufficient fund to accomplish this task efficiently and effectively.