MUZAFFARABAD, May 13: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s cabinet development committee on Tuesday sanctioned nine development schemes costing Rs602.1 million.

The meeting, which was presided over by AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, approved a scheme for improving electricity infrastructure with an outlay of Rs80.8 million for purchasing 400 new power transformers before June while an equal number of the existing transformers would be repaired by October.

Another scheme, costing Rs124.8 million, was approved for repairing the electrical distribution network damaged by Indian shelling, heavy rain or snowfall along the Line of Control.

Under the same scheme, equipment would be purchased for purchasing, erecting and installing power lines, poles, meters and conductors in these areas.

The third scheme related to the power sector, which would cost Rs52.3 million, was approved by the committee for providing electricity to the areas adjoining the Neelum Valley from the Jagran hydroelectric project.

In the communications sector, the meeting sanctioned a scheme for the metalling and improving 23.8-kilometre-long Bagh-Sudhan Galli road at a cost of Rs 53.1 million.

Another scheme worth Rs 11.5 million for metalling the 32-km-long Plak-Dadyal-Dhan Galli road was also approved.

Upgradation of the 11-km-long Kotli-Gulpur-Karot road at a cost of Rs65.8 million was also sanctioned.

The meeting also sanctioned a scheme in the information technology sector at a cost of Rs46.8 million, half of which would be borne the federal government. Under the scheme, computer labs would be established in high and higher secondary schools in the AJK besides providing computer training to teachers.

The meeting also gave approval to two revised schemes of Allama Iqbal Road and Hall Road in the limits of the Mirpur Development Authority at a cost of Rs92.4 and 43.1 million, respectively.