January 27, 2006	Friday	Zilhaj 26, 1426

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DADU, Jan 26: A project to develop the Gorakh hill station has not been completed because of official indifference and corruption. The project was approved in August 1998 at an estimated cost of Rs45.252 million.

In the initial stage, Rs15.155 million was allocated for 32 kilometres of road, Rs11.375 million for bridges, Rs17.409 million for water supply scheme and Rs1.313 million for police posts.

The project was not started till 2003 and only few kilometres of roads were constructed.

The Gorakh hill is located 450 kilometres in the north of Karachi and 100 kilometres in the west of Dadu.

According to meteorological studies, the Gorakh peak lies at the altitude of 5,688 feet above the sea level.

In winter, people of the area come down of mountains due to severe cold and stay in the Kachho area.

The temperature during June is 17-30 degree centigrade (average) and during January -5 to 20 degree centigrade (average).

Average rainfall for one year is recorded 12.5 inches.

The topography of the Gorakh is 1,340 acres of land with average 5,000 feet altitude in Sindh and 1,000 acres (approximately) in Balochistan.

According to the revised PC-I, approved on February 24, 2003, the project cost stood Rs198.269 million and total Rs86.353 million for 54 kilometres road, Rs66.789 million 600 ft, Rs34.636 million for water supply scheme, and Rs8 million were allocated for the purchase of vehicles and other equipments.

Only 55 kilometres road was completed from the Wahi Pandhi to the Gorakh hill allegedly with substandard material. As a result, it has broken at different places and transport is facing difficulties to reach the hill.

The work for construction of police posts for security of tourists was not launched 1998.

Water and power supply schemes were not completed and few poles of electricity along with 11kv wires were install in the area.

The date of completion of the project was fixed as December 31, 2005. Till date, works and services department could not achieve the target.

Area councillor, Pir Bux Babar and social workers Abbas Jagwani and Qadir Lashari told this correspondent that the then prime minister, Mir Zafarullah Jamali had visited the Wahi Pandhi road and people had told him use of substandard material in the road and other development projects.

They said the then prime minister, Mir Zafarullah Jamali had directed the Sindh government to initiate enquiry into the matter which was still pending.