By: Shahbaz Bhatti | Published: June 18, 2009 | The writer is TheNation, Islamabad’s News Editor
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Ahmedabad Mini Hydel Power Project, having the 350KW power generation capacity, was built with the total cost of Rs 1.3 million (Rs 0.96 million contributed by PPAF while the rest by the local community). This tough project was completed in a short span of 15 months as the locals, both men and women, volunteered their free labour service.
Executed by PPAF’s partner organization AKRSP, the project was inaugurated in July 2008 while its total annual maintenance cost is around Rs 400,000. Total power consumption of the area, that comprises 129 households or 852 population is not more than 120KW while the rest of 230KW power is still surplus.
The project has brought with it a package of benefits as the surplus power could be sold out to the adjoining areas.Revenue of this outlet would be used for other welfare projects like healthcare, education, roads, transport and vocational schools in the area. The Pakistan Alternative Energy Board has also pledged to establish a workshop that would offer maintenance services to the project.
The project has started ameliorating the lot of the locals as it has opened a window of business opportunities, especially for marble industry, cottage industry, embroidery, wood cutting, fruits processing etc. in addition to minimizing fuel cost by reducing the use of wood and kerosene oil. Before the start of the project, women of the area used to spend most of their time collecting wood from far flying areas, but now they have started utilizing their time at home using electrical appliances like heaters, refrigerators, washing machines, water pumps, etc.
Ismailimail 