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RAWALPINDI, May 28: The government has decided to undertake the Leh expansion project in various phases as the estimated cost for the land acquisition has increased, sources told Dawn here on Tuesday.
The decision was taken at a meeting which was presided over by the Punjab governor, Lt Gen (Rtd) Khalid Maqbool.
The sources said the committee, constituted to settle the compensation issue, had calculated that Rs681 million would be required to cover both the cost of land and structure.
According to earlier estimates, the amount required for this purpose was Rs300 million while prior to this the amount calculated for the compensation was Rs216 million.
The sources said the governor constituted a committee comprising officials of provincial and district governments and consultants to finalize the latest cost. The final approval in this regard would be given at a meeting to be held within a couple of days. The governor himself is likely to chair the meeting.
The sources said the district government’s plea for more funds for compensating the Leh victims was turned down by the governor.
“The governor indicated that the allocation of more funds would be considered in the next fiscal year.”
“The meeting decided that neither the scope of works would be curtailed nor the technical design of the project would be modified,” the sources said adding that “the option of installing a filtration plant on Leh drain has also been reviewed.” “However, no final decision could be taken in this regard.” About the Lohi Bher scheme, the sources said, the scheme had been shelved.
OUR GUJAR KHAN CORRESPONDENT ADDS: Speaking at a public rally here in Kihik Budhal village, the Punjab governor said the country was committed to the cause of regional peace, progress and stability but its endurance for peace should not be translated as its weakness. He said the whole nation was united to fight any aggression.
During his visit to Gujar Khan on Tuesday, the governor inspected the various ongoing development projects in the rural areas. The governor also announced the establishment of a Trauma Centre at Tehsil Headquarter Hospital, two girls colleges in two villages, upgradation of a girls middle school at village Kihik Budhal and the boundary wall of Sarwar Shaheed Government College.
The governor also inspected the Kihik Budhal link road where he was briefed by the officers of Punjab Highways Department. He was informed that out of 110 projects, 102 had been approved by the district development committee at an estimated cost of Rs193 million.
Meanwhile, speaking at another public gathering, Lt Gen (Rtd) Khalid Maqbool said the government was firm on providing facilities at the doorstep and allout efforts would be made for the solution of people’s problems. He said Rs1.5 billion had been allocated for the development of Rawalpindi district while Rs800 million were being spent on the flood management in Rawalpindi city. “The provision of drinking water, health facilities, recruitment of teachers, agricultural assistance to farmers and technical education at union council level are the priorities of his government,” the governor added.
The residents of Kihik Budhal demanded the provision of gas supply to the village from a nearby field, reopening of the branch of National Bank of Pakistan and ambulance service at Sasral basic health unit. The Governor directed the officials concerned to resolve these problems.
On his way back to Rawalpindi, the governor also visited the Rural Health Centre and a link road at Mandra.
The governor announced the establishment of a girls college and provision of gas for Mandra. He also ordered the immediate provision of furniture to the girls primary school, Koonian.
Meanwhile, talking to newsmen, Raja Javaid Ikhlas, Naib Nazim of Rawalpindi district and Raja Sultan Naeem Kiani, Tehsil Nazim, said the governor had approved the establishment of two intermediate colleges for girls at Mandra and Kariala in Gujar Khan tehsil. They said the land for this purpose had already been earmarked.
They said Rs200 million would also be provided for the electrification of Thathi Union Council. They said Rs9 million had been approved for the construction of Qazian to Notla road, and Rs40 million would be spent on the construction of Gulian to Gujar Khan road. They added that Rs10.56 million had been allocated for the improvement of water supply system in Gujar Khan city. They said a fire fighting unit of Rs10 million had also been arranged with the cooperation of Quaid-i-Azam Welfare Trust, Birmingham.
