MANSEHRA: The Garlat-Jabbah Bangian Road linking dozens of villages with Balakot town was opened to traffic on Tuesday.

Special assistant to the chief minister on population Ahmad Hussain Shah inaugurated it during a special ceremony in Garlat area.

The road was destroyed in the 2005 earthquake and despite protests by locals none of the successive governments earmarked funds for its rehabilitation.

The CM’s aide said the government was developing villages and remote areas of the province to restrict the migration of the residents to towns and cities.

CM aide promises early allotment of plots in New Balakot City

He said the chief minister was taking keen interest in ensuring the early development of the New Balakot City housing project.

“We have formed a 12-member committee to finalise modalities for the early allotment of the New Balakot City plots to the earthquake survivors, who still live in prefabricated houses,” he said.

Mr Shah said both federal and provincial governments were carrying out projects in Kaghan valley to promote tourism.

“Kaghan valley has huge tourism potential, so the development of tourism in the region will generate employments for the locals,” he said.

Meanwhile, the traffic police fined dozens of drivers for violating laws.

Head of traffic police Mudassir Zia told reporters thata comprehensive strategy had been developed to ensure smooth traffic flow in Mansehra district during Eid days.

He said the traffic police expected the arrival of hundreds and thousands of tourists in the district, including Kaghan valley, on Eid.

MONSOON PLAN: The Rescue 1122 on Tuesday finalised plans for Eidul Azha and monsoon in Mansehra district and cancelled Eid holidays of its employees.

District emergency officer Hafeezur Rehman told a meeting here that the organisation’s entire staff would be on duty during the current monsoon days, including Eid’s, to respond to any emergency.

He said he won’t tolerate negligence on part of staff members.

Meanwhile, the CNG stations reopened in Hazara division on Tuesday after the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited restored supply to them after week-long suspension.

Long queues of vehicles were seen at filling stations in Mansehra city and its outskirts.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2021