PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed the quarters concerned to complete feasibility study of Chashma Right Bank Lift Canal (CRBC) and other pre-requisites by March next year as he termed the project of vital importance for the food security of the province.

He said that the PC-I of the project would be submitted to the relevant federal forum for approval so that the scheme could be put on ground next year, according to a statement issued here on Sunday.

He also directed the relevant quarters to complete land acquisition process for Swat Motorway Phase-II in next two to three months to ensure timely progress on the project.

The chief minister ordered the officials to finalise mechanism for execution of Swat Motorway Phase-II project and take necessary steps for swift approval of its financing mode from the relevant forum.

He issued these directives while chairing a meeting regarding progress on mega developmental projects. Senior officials of urban development, revenue, planning and development, communications and works, finance, irrigation, and other relevant departments attended the meeting.

Mahmood Khan hints at including mega schemes in ADP

Mr Khan said that timely completion of communication projects would be the priority of government.

He added that new mega schemes were being included in the upcoming Annual Development Programme in communication sector.

He directed the relevant authorities to pay particular attention to urban development in tribal districts. He said that provision of civics facilities to the people of merged districts and addressing their issues was among the important targets of the government.

The meeting was informed that under public-private partnership, execution of 22 different mega projects was planned including Peshawar-DI Khan Motorway, acquisition of land for Dir Motorway and other important schemes.

It was told that schemes for beautification and uplift of different cities, establishment of public parks, infrastructure development, establishment of tehsil complexes on need basis and construction of roads were proposed to be included in the next ADP.

The meeting was told that a separate scheme was proposed for urban development in the newly merged districts.

The deputy commissioners concerned would present a comprehensive plan in consultation with the relevant departments to this effect which would be implemented on priority basis.

Similarly, construction and rehabilitation of rural approach roads in tribal districts would also be part of the upcoming ADP. Keeping in view the government’s priorities for accelerated development of agriculture sector, all the schemes planned under agriculture transformation plan were also being included in the ADP whereas a separate scheme has been proposed for agriculture transformation in the merged areas.

The authorities were also told that a project regarding development of new tourists sites in the province would be included the ADP.

Work is in full swing on establishing playgrounds in tribal districts whereas a new scheme for establishing new grounds has also been proposed.

The high-ups of revenue department told the meeting that hiring of patwaris through ETEA, induction of female patwaris and training of existing patwaris on modern lines were important steps of the department.

Digitisation of mutation was already in progress and a new scheme for digitisation of registries would also be initiated soon, they said.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2021