GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan on Monday inaugurated work on an alternative road in Tatapani area of Chilas to avoid landslide-prone section of the Karakoram Highway.

The Rs55-million project will be completed in six months.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by minster for health Haji Gulbar Khan, minister for excise Haji Shah Baig, GB Assembly member Maulana Fazal Rahim and Diamer deputy commissioner Fayyaz Ahmed.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Khurshid said many lives were lost due to landslides on the KKH section, prompting the government to construct an alternative road on an emergency basis.

He said road would be completed by December 1, providing ease of travel to passengers, including tourists.

He said a special economic zone was being built in Diamer for development of the area.

He said power and sewerage projects had been started in Chilas, the district headquarters of Diamer.

Besides, he said Chilas Development Authority was being set up.

He said work on Daral-Tangir road would start soon, adding a medical college, dental and nursing colleges would also be set up in Chilas.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2022