PESHAWAR: The motorists passing through picturesque Galyat will now pay Rs60 instead of Rs30 to the Galyat Development Authority (GDA) in the head of environmental maintenance fee.

GDA has evolved a mechanism under which motorists entering Galyat will be provided with environmental-friendly bags and they will get back half of the fee on return of the bags having garbage to create awareness among the tourists about cleanliness.

For this purpose, GDA will install two toll plazas at the entry and exit points of Galyat. This decision was taken at the GDA Board of Authority (BoA) meeting here on Saturday which was presided over by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, said an official statement.

Senior officers, including Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan, also attended the meeting.

System put in place to create awareness about cleanliness

The chief minister directed to amend the GDA Act 1996 to strengthen the authority and empower its officials. This was the first BoA meeting. The board authorised GDA to make necessary arrangements to repair the Ayubia chairlift facility as per requirements and make assessment for complete replacement of the facility.

The board was informed that the telecommunication companies had shown a great interest in overhauling of the system and repair of facilities at Ayubia chairlift. It was decided that a comprehensive master plan of Galyat in line with the development plan would be initiated to accommodate all basic needs by studying structure design and soil mechanics of different areas.

It will be linked with waste disposal, water supply schemes and building by-laws. The proposed master plan would also identify sites for planned growth in the housing sector and also tourists’ spots.

The GDA was tasked to re-advertise the plan and hire a well-reputed firm in a transparent manner and to blacklist the existing consultant. The BoA also approved Land Record Management Information System to create a secure, reliable, efficient, accountable and equitable system by hiring well-reputed firms and experts for launching of computerised land record on priority.

Approval was also given for commencement of complaint cell and information dissemination system, which will provide citizens a direct access and share grievance handling, thereby reducing redundancy.

A solid waste management plant would be installed to cater to the present needs. The board appreciated beautification plan of Galyat and asked GDA to hold meetings with hotel and local trader associations regarding uplifting of bazaars. The plan includes development of rest houses, plantation, rainwater harvesting, rehabilitation of walking treks, development of food bazaar, face lifting of bazaars and development of open terraces.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2015

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