PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakthunkhwa Government has launched unprecedented development projects worth Rs54.2790 billion during last three and half years in Upper Dir district to expedite pace of socioeconomic development, promote trade and tourism besides generate employment opportunities for youth.
Under the Chief Minister’s uniformed development program of all districts, the Khyber Pakthunkhwa Government has initiated work on scores of uplift projects worth Rs54,27,90,00,000 during 2018-21 with special focus on infrastructure and rural development, motorways, health, education, agriculture and livestock sectors.
To provide quality treatment facilities to patients of far flung areas, officials in KP Government told APP on Friday that Rs110 million allocated for reconstruction and rehabilitation of basic health units and Rs100 million for development works of the rural health centre Nahag Dara to provide quality treatment to patients in remote areas of the district.
Similarly, Rs40 million would be spent on construction, up-gradation and repair of the category-D hospital Pathrak and Rs25 billion for renovation and construction of category-D hospital Barawal.
Likewise, Rs230 million has been earmarked for up-gradation of category-D Wari Hospital to Category-C Hospital to facilitate patients of Dir Upper. With up-gradation of these hospitals and basic health units, he said people of rural areas would not go to others cities for treatment besides saving their time and money.
The treatment of patients continued under Sehat Plus Card system in Dir Upper and so far 23,335 patients were benefited from November 2020 till to date in the remote district bordering Chitral.
To promote adventure sports and tourism in Malakand division, he said the Government has taken a principle decision to establish a 14 kilometres long cable car that would connect the scenic tourist resort of Kumrat and others valleys of Upper Dir with Madaklasht Chitral districts. The proposed project would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs32 billion that would attract over 10 million tourists to Malakand division per year.
Asked about progress on Swat Phase-II and Dir Motorways, the official said Papers and technical work of Swat Motorway Phase-II has almost been completed and is ready for groundbreaking after signing of the landmark agreement between PkHA and a private company a few days ago.
The 80kilometers long Swat Motorway Phase-II would commence from Chakdara and culminate at Fatehpur Madain Swat. The project would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs58billion including land acquisition’s cost.
He said Expression of interest (EOIs) has been sought from the reputed domestic and foreign firms, joint venture and consortia for construction of Dir Motorway under public-private partnership.
Dir Motorway having a length of 29.377kilometers would start from Chakdara Lower Dir to Rabat Upper Dir and would be completed with a proposed cost of Rs35.5 billion. Swat Motorway Phase-II and Dir Motorway would be initially four lanes and later would be converted into six lanes full fledged motorways.
Dir Motorway would have two tunnels including one of 625 kilometres and another 6.32 kilometres length besides three interchanges, four each overpasses and flyovers, 24 bridges, two tunnels and two underpasses.
Feasibility study and construction of road from CHukiathan to Shringal and Patrak Dir Upper having a length of 36 kilometres have been completed. Similarly, feasibility study and designing of improvement of road from Khar to Timergara and Tor Kundi-Khar Road costing Rs2.135 billion and feasibility study and designing of improvement and rehabilitation of 14 kilometre road from Pir Qala to Ghalanai Mohmand tribal district were underway that after completion would bolster regional connectivity besides business and tourism.
