MINGORA: The residents of three villages in Matta tehsil were excited to get electricity after inauguration of three mini-micro hydro power stations here on Monday.

The hydro power stations were set up by Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation in Damkot Serai, Kuz Parow and Chinklalai. Provincial Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Mehmood Khan inaugurated the power units.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that government was keen to utilise water potential for power generation in that part of the country.

`Such small units can be established locally to produce electricity. It is cheap so our government has decided to set up 1,000 micro hydro power units in these areas,` he said.

The minister said that people of those areas were lucky to have water potential for producing power and getting cheap electricity.

The local people said they were excitedto have cheaper and uninterrupted electricity. `We are very happy to get electricity for the first time in our life. No government before bothered to focus on these remote areas,` said Inamullah Khan, a resident of Damkot Serai.

Akbarzeb, another resident of the village, told Dawn that they spent their life in darkness. He said that provision of electricity to the area would bring change in their life.

`We would charge our mobile phones with the help of generator at our village shop by paying Rs20 to the shopkeeper, he said. He added that prior to provision of electricity to the area it seemed as if they were living in the stone age.

`Electricity is indispensable for today`s life as it not only provides light but it also helps us to wash and pressing clothes, run TV and radios and keep us connected with the rest of the world,` said Akbarzeb.

Gul Akbar, a resident of Charma, said that he worked in Rawalpindi to earn livelihood and he knew the benefits of electricity. `We have spent our life without the benefits of electricity but all the villagers are excited that at least their children have the facility,` he said.