CHITRAL The penstock pipe of the Sheshi hydropower station, constructed by the Small Hydel Development Organisation, broke into pieces while testing the turbine, officials said.

This was the second incident in two months. Earlier, concrete slabs holding the penstock did not withstand the pressure of water and were washed away.

The use of inferior quality pipes and substandard construction material are said to be responsible for the failure of the powerhouse. The one-megawatt capacity powerhouse was to be completed in 2007 but it was inordinately delayed.

Meanwhile, District Nazim Maghfirat Shah has demanded of the government to hold a high level inquiry into the use of inferior quality materials.

Talking to Dawn here on Tuesday, he said that the district government had time and again informed the concerned quarters of the provincial government but to no avail. He said that the power project was expected to be commissioned by Eidul Fitr but the bursting of pipes had delayed it by another three months.

Mr Shah said that Chitral was facing acute shortage of power and the residents had attached expectations to the power station. He said that the shortage of power was creating law and order situation in the region.