KOHAT, Oct 4: Construction work on a pipeline has started in the areas of Easak and Teri after the government sanctioned Rs1.49 billion for providing natural gas to 55 villages in the Karak district from the Gurguri oil and gas fields.

The two areas will be supplied gas at a cost of Rs38.7 million. Other villages, including Banda Daud Shah, will cost Rs490 million.

Officials said that under an agreement reached with local people the gas companies would provide the facility within a radius of three kilometres from the gas fields.

Karak and Takhte Nasrati tehsils, Gurguri proper, Urbashi, etc., will also get the facility and an amount of Rs970 million has been approved for the purpose.

The work on laying of pipelines from Gurguri, Makori and other gas fields to Dera Ismail Khan is also in progress. The government faced some problems in acquiring land for the project in a small area in Karak and near Bannu and is trying to resolve the issue through negotiations with elders.

The gas supply to Punjab from the Shakardarra oil and gas fields started in 2004 but so far the villages adjacent to the field have not been provided the facility.

NWFP Chief Minister Mohammad Akram Durrani had announced a grant of Rs50 million for gas supply to the area two years back, but the departments concerned have not received the funds yet, officials said.