GILGIT, Nov 11: The federal government is spending Rs250 million to provide clean drinking water to the people of six districts of the Northern Areas. Official sources told APP that Rs70 million had been earmarked for Gilgit district and Rs62.50 million for Skardu district.

They said that in Diamer district water supply schemes would cost Rs37.50 million and similar projects were to be undertaken at a cost of Rs25 million in Ghanche district. In Ghizer district, water supply schemes would cost Rs35 million and Rs20 million had been allocated for the newly created district of Astore.

The sources said that within a couple of weeks, work on the projects would start.