PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved 29 development schemes having an estimated cost of Rs28.61 billion. These schemes were approved during the 17th meeting of Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP).

The meeting was held with additional chief secretary Shakil Qadir Khan in the chair which deliberated and approved schemes pertaining to different sectors, including health, education, multi-sector development, roads, urban development, tourism and sports.

According to a statement issued here on Thursday, the approved projects include construction and feasibility of different roads in Torghar, Kohistan and Swat amounting to Rs657.50 million.

It was stated that the accelerated development of the merged areas was top priority of the government.

To improve the road infrastructure in merged areas, the PDWP approved 48 roads with a total length of 325 kilometres in Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai and South and North Waziristan districts with a cost of Rs5.7 billion. Upgradation of existing sports grounds into sports complexes in Wana, Kalaya and Jamrud worth Rs833.6 million was also approved by PDWP.

The forum okayed Torawari dam project in Hangu worth Rs3.49 billion besides water supply schemes in Abbotabad with a cost of Rs266.82 million. Purchase of land for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forensic Science Laboratory in Peshawar worth Rs320 million was among the other approved projects.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2021