PESHAWAR, Nov 21: Provincial Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Sardar Muhammad Idress informed the NWFP Assembly on Tuesday that an amount of Rs5 million has been earmarked for repair and maintenance of Mardan-Bakhshali road.

The issue was raised in the house through an adjournment motion jointly submitted by MPA Amanat Shah and Tajul Amin Jabal of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA).

Talking part in the debate, the provincial minister said the road had been included in list of roads damaged by the recent rains in the province.

“Work on the project will start soon as its PC 1 has been approved by the Planning and

Development Department,” he said.

“Maintenance and repair of roads is the responsibility of district governments. However, the provincial government has to release funds for maintenance of those roads which are of much importance,” he said.

The provincial government had also directed the district governments not to transfer funds for maintenance and repair for other purposes.

He assured the movers of the motion that soon a meeting of the district coordinating officer of Mardan, the district nazim and concerned MPAs would be convened to hold discussion on the condition of the road.

Earlier, MPA Amanat Shah and Taj-ul-Amin Jabal expressed concern over bad condition of the road.—APP