PESHAWAR, Dec 2: The Pakistan Army has made special arrangements for transportation of corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) sheets to high altitude areas in order to expedite construction of shelters in quake-affected areas of the NWFP.

Army’s air goods dispatch company (AGDC) is making arrangements for speedy transportation of CGI sheets through helicopters in the areas located 5000 feet above sea level. Parachutes, deployment bags, extraction chutes, release line, canvas covers, sling assembly, skid boards, static line, suspension webs, strap nylons and medium size calves have been procured by the AGDC for safe delivery of the sheets.

Army is focusing on construction of maximum shelters before start of regular and heavy snowfall in high altitude areas. Army is according priority to construction of shelters for widows and those who have lost all their male family members. Army engineers, with the help of NGOs, have so far completed construction of 7829 shelters for homeless people in Kaghan, Allai and Saran valleys.

Over 5660 more shelters are under construction in these areas. They have completed 2722 shelters in 28 villages of Allai vally, 922 in 35 villages of Saran valley, 1567 in 105 villages of Kaghan valley and 304 shelters on the hilltops of Balakot. Some 4641 shelters in Allai valley, 156 in Saran valley, 398 in Kaghan valley and five in Balakot are near their completion.

Army engineers have received 17,312 CGI from the GHQ and 40,109 from different NGOs, making a total of 57,421 sheets. They are also providing training to locals and volunteers in construction of shelters.

Troops of army engineers are also removing rubble and debris from of collapsed buildings. Ten truckload of rubble was removed from a collapsed hotel in Balakot city. Army engineers dismantled 16 rooms at Mohalla Podina Bella and four rooms of the PTDC Hotel in the city.—APP