Chitral passing under miserable situation in winter season.
CHITRAL: As usual people of Chitral passing under very critical situation in winter season. The only land routes of Chitral have been blocked at Lawari top after heavy snowfall in the month of December, 2007. Now dwellers of the area are compelled to travel via Kunar Afghanistan to down districts but there is an other problem for Chitral people. Chitrali people enter in Afghanistan from Arandu village (Pakistani territory) and re-enter in Pakistan via Nawa pass near Muhmand and Bajawar Agency of Pakistan. But in recent unrest situation in that area and strong hold of local militants (Taliban) they created an other nuisance for these people especially for those who are serving in Pak Army or any other government servant.
Similarly a soldier of Pakistan Army belonging to Chitral was arrested by local Taliban at Muhmad Gat of Muhmand Agency but he was released on the request of a journalist working in Daily Islam. But after a few days an other Chitrali civil officer was arrested by local Taliban who was serving in Population planning. His mother was also died but he could not see her nor could he attend funeral prayer of his mother.
An other problem of Chitral is lack of electricity as usually Chitral plunge in longest breakdown of power supply in winter season when LT/HT and main transmission and distribution line of Wapda break by heavy snowfall. As well as the main transmission line of 33 KV have been carried from Dir to Chitral passing over the peak of Lawari top having altitude of 10500 feet from sea level.
According to a survey report Chitral having the potential of 4500 Mega Watt electricity but despite that no practical work was done in past to utilize water of Chitral river for hydro power house. Hence there is a small hydro power station at Chitral of only 1 mega watt capacity which can easily be augmented to 6 mega watt if the water channel was expanded and new turbine and generators were installed here. Shortage of potable drinking water is another problem of the area. Water supply pipeline have been broken by freezing of water at so many places and water is leaking from these pipes while there is nothing with water supply department of Tehsil Municipal Administration. So many illegal connection of water have been taken from main pipeline and they paying nothing to water supply unit.
Experts of the concern field have suggested for establishment of mini hydro power station at so many places by carrying water channel from Chitral river for settlement of electricity problem. Lawari Rail tunnel will carry green revolution in economic booming of the area. Which have been constructed more than half part. Hence the main factor for development of the area is linking Chitral to Central Asian Republics as Chitral is gateway to these Republics. A link road may be constructed via Dura pass which was also used by merchandise in past. As a result precious mineral and marble of Chitral will be introduced and reached to national as well as international market.
G.H. Farooqi PO Box No. 50 GPO Chitral Pakistan phone No. 0943-302295, 414418, 03025989602
Website: www.dailychitral.com
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