ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Assembly was informed on Friday that 1,500 megawatt electricity will be added to the national grid by May 15 which will help overcome power shortage.
During the question hour, the Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali told the House that there was increase in duration of load-shedding during the recent past due to dip in hydel power generation but the situation has become normal after April 21.
The minister said that six to seven hours load-shedding is being observed in urban areas and nine to ten hours in rural areas. He said that transmission lines are being upgraded and feeders are being monitored to reduce line losses and check power pilferage.
Abid Sher Ali told the House that 80 percent of 260 feeders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being run on losses.
The House was further informed that the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved revised PC-I of acquisition of land and resettlement of Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project amounting to over Rs101 billion.
The minister of state for water and power said that the compensation of land and assets has been enhanced from Rs33.5 billion to Rs49.8 billion. He said that the project is already under execution and is expected to be completed within the cost approved by the ECNEC.
