GILGIT, April 19: The Gilgit-Baltistan government has approved Rs100 million for rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and launching nee projects in Gojal tehsil of upper Hunza, which has been cut off from rest of the world due to an artificial lake formed on Hunza river due to landslides, officials said.

The official sources said the package was approved at a high-level meeting chaired by the Speaker Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly Wazir Baig on Tuesday.

The projects were identified by the public representatives under Chief Minister’s Package for Early Recovery Plan for Gojal.

The amount would be spent on projects in health, education, communication sectors with special focus on restoring the destroyed infrastructure including bridges. Construction of new roads and widening and repair of existing ones is also part of the plan. Besides, protective bunds will be built along rivers and streams to avoid flooding.

The meeting also approved establishment of dispensaries and hostels and provision of clean drinking water for Gojal tehsil. The meeting sent the projects to the planning and development department for further vetting.

CM INSPECTS PROJECTS: The Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah on Tuesday inspected work on projects of protective bunds along the Gilgit river and streams at various points of the city.

Official sources said the chief minister directed completion of work within stipulated time so that people living on the banks of the river and streams could be saved from floods.