RAWALPINDI, Dec 26: The District Development Committee (DDC) has approved 26 development projects at a cost of Rs78.908 million, officials said here on Thursday.

Some of the main projects approved by the DDC include the construction of Government Degree College for Women at Jhanda Chichi (Rs14.382 million); Government Degree College for Women Dhoke Kala Khan (Rs11.333 million); Government Degree College for Women Gawalmandi (Rs10.372 million); Government Girls High School Dhoke Kala Khan (Rs8.985 million); Government Girls High School, Jhanda Chichi (Rs8.105 million); Government Girls High School, Affandi Colony (Rs7.807 million); additional classrooms at Government College for Women, Muslim Town (Rs5.147 million) and Government Girls High School, Muslim Town (Rs4.526 million).

These projects had been announced by Chief Minister Pervez Elahi during his visit to Rawalpindi last weekend in connection with the election campaign of PML-Q candidate for NA-56 by-polls.

These education institutions will be constructed under the Rs100 million package announced by the chief minister.

Other projects approved at the meeting are construction of three drains in Christian Colony, Chak Jalaldin (Rs1.525 million); improvement of Doberan to Jabbiran Road (Rs1.712 million); construction of a Nullah at union council no 22 (Rs0.172 million); extension of a road in Changa Bangial union council (Rs0.781 million); construction of a Nullah in Dhoke Rajgan Dakhli and five streets in union council no 89 (Rs1.533 million); construction of a path from the main road to union council Lehtrar and Lehtrar Pannian (Rs0.3 million); construction of a link road from Channi to Gagaiti Road (Rs0.971 million); construction of a street in Jheela (Rs0.354 million); laying of street pavement in Beor union council (Rs0.424 million); water supply scheme in Ghel union council (Rs0.199 million) and construction of PCC path in Ghel union council (Rs0.280 million).

District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani, the officials said, had instructed that the award of contracts for these projects should be made in a transparent manner. They said Mr Kiani had directed that the contractors should be told to maintain quality of work and ensure timely completion.

Speaking at an Eid Milan party hosted in honour of the union council Nazimeen, Mr Kiani said: “The projects approved by the DDC would bring about a qualitative change in the infrastructure and quality of lives of the residents of the district.”

He said the projects were prioritized in view of the recommendations of the union council Nazimeen and special seat members of the district council.

The district Nazim said additional funds were being granted to Murree Tehsil to improve accessibility to the area and availability of water.