GILGIT, Jan 24: An amount of Rs1 million has been approved to control seepage and improve the sewerage system in the city.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Northern Areas’ Cabinet, which here on Thursday was presided over by the chief executive of the Northern Areas, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, says a statement.

The Cabinet discussed the seepage problem, which was causing damage to the houses in the city.

The Cabinet also discussed the power crisis in the area.

Chief Secretary Fazil Durrani told the Cabinet that at present 2.2MW electricity was generated by various power plants against a demand of 16MW.

Mr Sherpao said he would expedite work on Naltar power project, which would generate 16MW electricity.

The Cabinet also discussed law and order situation in the Northern Areas besides reviewing the arrangements for the forthcoming visit of President Gen Pervez Musharraf to the area.

Mr Sherpao, who is also minister for Kashmir affairs and water and power, informed the Cabinet that the government had given Rs20 million assistance to the earthquake-affected people from the Zakat fund in Astore valley.

Talking to reporters, the chief executive said that the Gilgit-Astore road was now open to jeeps and mini-buses.