SKARDU, Nov 16: The government is taking keen interest in the uplift of Northern Areas, and all out efforts are being made to bring this backward region at par with the other developed areas of the country.

Speaking to APP, official sources say 60 development schemes are being implemented in Ghangche district at a cost of Rs30 million.

They say Rs388,700 are being provided by the people as public share for the Khushhal Pakistan Programme. Total 17 schemes are being completed in the irrigation sector at an estimated cost of Rs4.8 million which would help irrigate about 23,000 Kanals of barren.

In the housing sector and physical planning, 13 schemes are under way at an estimated cost of Rs6.7 million, under which 33 additional class rooms and nine bathrooms would be constructed in schools. Around 8,712 students would benefit from these scheme.

The sources said that 11 schemes are being completed in the communication sector at Rs8.618 million. Some four-foot bridges and seven roads have also been planned to be constructed in different rural villages of Ghangche.

Eight schemes in the soil conservation sector, five in the water and power sector, two in water reservoirs and vocational schools and one each in the information technology and library sectors are being implemented.—APP