40.8MW Koto hydropower project in Lower Dir inaugurated

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi inaugurated the newly-constructed 40.8 MW Koto hydropower project in District Lower Dir on Saturday.

The completed at a total cost of Rs 21.7 billion and estimated to generate 207 million units of electricity annually, and earn an estimated revenue of Rs 2.4 billion per annum.

The chief minister also inaugurated the 18.5 kms Tormang-Razgram Road, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 billion.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi said the provincial government is working under a long term strategy to transform the province’s hydropower resources into a foundation for economic growth.

He said that clean and green energy projects will play a pivotal role in job creation alongside industrial development.

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He further said that establishment of province’s first ever power transmission line of 120 kms is also in pipeline and once completed, it will enable the transmission of electricity generated from 11 local power stations to industries. The power produced by local hydropower plants, he added, will be supplied to industries at concessional rates, as industrial expansion is essential for reducing unemployment.

The Chief Minister further stated that the provincial government will extend full support for establishing its own power distribution system. “The people of this province have the first right over its natural resources,” he said.

He expressed regret that foreign engineers working on development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are unable to visit the province due to delays in issuance of NOCs, adding that delays in completion of projects are causing loss not only to the province but entire nation.

Speaking about former prime minister Imran Khan, he said “Imran Khan has always had genuine concern for the people. I feel proud when I see the projects he initiated, because they were truly designed for the welfare and development of ordinary citizens. He launched long-term, transformative initiatives without worrying about who would inaugurate them later.” The Chief Minister reiterated that the federal government owes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs 3 trillion, pending for several years.

The chief minister reiterated that these funds are necessary for development of the province.

PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar and elected representatives from Dir Lower also attended the ceremony.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025