ISLAMABAD: The isolated Makran division grid has been connected to the national grid, providing another 100 megawatts electricity to Gwadar.
This was disclosed by Jawwad Akhtar Khokhar, Advisor Maritime Affairs at the Planning Commission of Pakistan, while talking to Gwadar Pro on Wednesday.
Khokhar said that the 286-kilometre long, 132kV dual-circuit transmission line through Naal-Basima-Naag-Panjgur was energised on May 30. Gwadar now receives a total of 300MWs of electricity through three transmission lines, two from Iran and the new one from the national grid, he said.
In addition, the official said that the 1.2 million gallons per day water desalination plant being completed with the Chinese grant of Rs2 billion will be inaugurated on June 30. Also, Pakistan-China Friendship Hospital, Gwadar will be inaugurated on August 14, while the Gwadar International Airport will be inaugurated on September 30.
These developments will usher in a new era of progress and prosperity in Gwadar and contribute to the Blue Economy of the region, the official said.
Earlier, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo said that Gwadar’s long-standing problems relating to electricity and water were resolved. Speaking to journalists, he maintained that the government had taken bold and historical steps for the development and prosperity of the province.
“Unnecessary check-posts have been eliminated and Gwadar’s long-standing problems relating to electricity and water have been resolved. We want to facilitate Gwadar to the best of our resources,” he added.
He termed the recent inauguration of the Border Market on the Pakistan-Iran border and Iran-Gwadar Power Project in Gwadar a ‘positive sign’ for both countries. The CM mentioned that there were immense opportunities to promote bilateral regional trade with Iran, including crude oil, gas, food commodities and energy sectors, adding that annual trade between Pakistan and Iran was worth billions of rupees. –Agencies
