SHANGLA: National Highway Authority has barred Pesco from digging pits along the Karakoram Highway for power supply transmission lines of the under construction 132KV grid station.
Sources in the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) told Dawn here on Friday that they have bared from digging pits along the KKH, which were being dug along the KKH for supply line of electricity from 132KV Shang grid station to Bisham grid station.
They said, the workers were stopped by NHA officials when they were busy in the digging of Pits for poles and also took away tools from them.
The Pesco construction department officials said, 104 poles has to be installed for power supply connection to Bisham small grid station from the Shang grid station, while the long delayed 132 grid station was supposed to be made operational within a month, but due to suspension of construction work it could be delayed.
“We have dug up about 60 pits in out of 104, required equipment had been also received, the grid station is almost ready for making operational. Our officers want to start the grid as soon as possible but first issues from locals and now departmental issues causing delay in the construction work,” Gul Zamin, Incharge Pesco, in construction department said.
He said issues with the locals had been resolved which took to much time, but now unless the issue with the NHA not resolve, the situation will remain same.
He urged the local notables to come forward in the case and resolve the issue through the elected MNA and MPAs, so that the Bisham’s residents long standing and unending issue of low voltage and loadshiding could resolve.
Sub-Enginner NHA, Amir Zeeb, when contacted told Dawn that they had barred the Pesco from digging pits along KKH over not obtaining no-objection certificate from the NHA department.
He said the Pesco department should tackle the matter with the NHA department but through proper channel and getting NOC also because the road has to be widened under the CPEC project, therefore NHA can not allow electric poles along KKH without taking it in loop.
He said the Pesco should ensure receiving of NOC from the NHA, then they will allow them installation of electric poles.
