MANSEHRA: The district administration has stopped the National Highway Authority from continuing with the construction of a multi-storey luxurious house on the river course in Kaghan valley.

“We have got the work on the NHA House stopped as the facility was being built on the course of the Kunhar River after diversion of water to a nearby settlement. It could cause damage to public life and property in case of flooding,” deputy commissioner Zulfiqar Shah told reporters here on Tuesday.The work on the house, which is in final stages, was restricted by Hazara commissioner Abid Ali Khan last month after Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif objected to it during a visit to Naran.

However, the deputy commissioner said, the NHA resumed work. “We’ve got the construction stopped until the government takes a decision about it,” he said. He said the multi-story structure was a threat to the area’s beauty, environment and river life.

“It is unfortunate that the NHA fraudulently got the land of the forest department transferred to its name, diverted the river water to the population and began building the luxurious house-cum-offices,” he said, adding that the structure could be demolished.

Admin says multi-storey structure could cause damage to public life, property in case of flooding

Zulfiqar Shah said if the NHA resumed work on the house, then not only the entry of its officials into the area would be banned but also, the building would be sealed.

Coach falls into Ravine

A man was killed and 29 members of his family were injured on Tuesday when their coach fell into a ravine in Kuppi Galli area of Kaghan valley.

The coach bound for Jehangira town from Naran had the accident after the driver lost its control while negotiating a sharp turn.

The local residents and policemen pulled the body and the injured from the ravine and shifted them to the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital.

Medical superintendent of the hospital Dr Naeem Awan said a deceased and 29 injured people were shifted to the premises.

He said those with minor injuries were discharged after treatment, while the critically injured were hospitalised. Rehman Khattak, head of the family, identified the deceased as Irfanullah, a college student.

He said his family along with those of four brothers had gone to Naran to spend Ramazan in pleasant weather and were on their way to native village when the accident occurred.

The people in stable condition later left for the village in ambulances.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2014