CASA-1000 route changed, TUTAP being reviewed

KABUL (TUTAP) electricity transfer project and its route.

The decision to review the 500kv power project came a meeting chaired by Second Vice President Sarwar Danish, a statement from his office said.

The VP said over the past 14 years no positive changes had taken place in sphere of electricity for central provinces of Afghanistan and even no basic project in this regard had been approved in the 20 years master plan, calling it against government policies and social justice.

He said changing the project route from north of Kabul had already been discussed in the Cabinet and the route for the CASA-1000 had been changed from Salang Pass to Khwak valley of Panjsher province and the same reasons could be enforced for the TUTAP project.

“The government has to respond to people’s demands. There should be possible changes in the rout of the power line based on our national interests and for a balanced development and demands of our people, he said.

Energy and Water Minister Ali Ahamd Osmani said the project would be jointly reviewed by his ministry, Da Afghanistan Breshna Shirkat  and other related departments.

The meeting decided that the 500 kv project should be stopped until a joint delegation reviewed the project and presented its findings and decisions in the Cabinet.

Two days ago, Danish criticized the Brishna Shirkat over passing the power lines though Salang Pass, saying the route should be changed from Pul-i-Khumri to Samangan and Bamyan provinces reaching Kabul.

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