KOHAT: A new PC-I for reconstruction of a one kilometre stretch of the KDA Teaching Hospital road has been sent to the authorities concerned for approval, further increasing its cost by Rs23 million.

An unusual delay in the first PC-I and rejection of the proposal of the KDA authorities to rebuild the road has increased the miseries of the people, especially patients, taken to and from the hospital for last eight years.

The revised PC-I has increased its cost from Rs17 million to Rs40 million, SDO highways, communication and works department, Imdad Hussain Bangash told Dawn.

He said the project was being delayed due to paucity of funds.

He disclosed that former adviser to chief minister, MPA Ziaullah Bangash had rejected the proposal of KDA authorities for construction of road, and handed it over to the communication and works department.

The KDA authorities claimed they had the funds for executing the project.

Imdad Hussain said his department was not receiving funds even for repair of roads. He said Rs40 million were required for repair of the dilapidated city roads.

In a separate development, former president of the Kohat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rasheed Paracha has urged the government to provide maximum relief to the traders by allowing them to keep their businesses open during the night to make up for the losses caused by the lockdown.

In a statement, he said the restriction of closing businesses by 8pm should be lifted.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2021