ISLAMABAD: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan had inaugurated a 220 kv Grid Station, constructed by National Transmission and Despatch Company Ltd (NTDC) at Chakdara, Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Chairman Senate Committee on Power Senator Fida Muhammad, Provincial Minister for Revenue Shakeel Ahmad, MNA Junaid Akbar and Managing Director NTDC Zafar Abbas were also present during the ceremony, said a press release.

Mahmood Khan while addressing the ceremony congratulated NTDC management and said the construction of 220 kV grid station Chakdara was direly needed in the area and it was a gift for the people of Swat and other areas.

Now power supply will be stable with improved voltage profile and consumer would  not face forced load shedding.

He said the federal government’s interest and keenness towards ending power crisis was remarkable.

He assured the NTDC management to extend his all-out support to resolve the issues of land acquisition for NTDC projects of grid stations and transmission lies especially in Hattar and Rashaakay.

Managing Director NTDC Zafar Abbas also addressed the inauguration ceremony and said the grid station had been constructed with a cost of Rs 3230 million funded by ADB within shortest time span.

Now 220 kV grid station Chakdara is a second source for power supply to Chakdara, Thana, Timmer Gara, Malakand, Saidu Sharif, Swat, Madyan, Khawaza Khela, Shangla, Dargai and other areas.

He also appreciated and thanked the local people of Thana for their contribution extended for completion of this project.

He said the 220 kV Chakdara, D.I Khan, 220 kV grid station Mansehra had already been energized whereas 220 kV Noshehra will be completed soon.

He said NTDC, in line with the efforts of present government for ending load shedding, working ambitiously to complete its ongoing project within stipulated time.