Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Saturday inaugurated the 40.8 MW Koto hydropower project in Lower Dir, completed at a cost of Rs 21.7 billion. The plant is expected to generate 207 million units of electricity annually, earning Rs 2.4 billion per year.
Afridi also opened the 18.5-kilometre Tormang-Razgram Road, built for Rs 1.5 billion.
The chief minister said the provincial government aims to turn KP’s hydropower resources into a foundation for economic growth. Clean energy projects will support job creation and industrial development.
He announced plans for a 120-kilometre power transmission line to carry electricity from 11 local hydropower stations to industries at concessional rates and pledged support for establishing the province’s own power distribution system.
Afridi expressed concern over delays in project execution caused by foreign engineers being unable to obtain NOCs and said the federal government owes KP Rs 3 trillion, which is vital for the province’s development.
He praised former Prime Minister Imran Khan for initiating long-term projects focused on citizens’ welfare. PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar and local representatives from Lower Dir attended the ceremony.
