LAHORE, March 14: A colony will be built in Narowal over 52 acres during the current financial year to provide residential facilities to low-income people. Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Raza Ali Gilani said this while presiding over a meeting here on Wednesday.

As many as 460 plots would be made available of which 177 would be distributed among low-income people through an open ballot. A sum of Rs50 million had been approved for the purchase of land and partial development. Only residents of Narowal district would be eligible to apply for allotment.

The minister said five-marla to one-kanal plots would be designed in the scheme. Of 460 plots, 17 purely residential and five commercial and residential plots in the scheme would be of one kanal, 85 purely residential and 34 commercial and residential plots would be of 10 marla while 142 would be of seven marla and 177 of five marla.

Mr Gilani said all necessary facilities would be provided in the scheme, including park, green belts, public buildings for telephone department, police station, bank, post office, etc.

He said roads would be 40 feet wide while main roads would be 80 feet wide. Water supply, sewerage, gas, electricity and other facilities would also be ensured, he said.

Mr Gilani said the scheme would be completed within one year.

MARRIAGE GRANT: The Zakat department has disbursed Rs35.8 million among 3,060 deserving girls under marriage grant during the first half of the current fiscal year.