SKARDU, March 29: The government is paying special attention to the development of Northern Areas, and has chalked out a record development schemes in the area, the deputy chief executive of the Northern Areas, Haji Fida Mohammad Nashad said.

Talking to Dawn he said the multi-purpose Sadpara Dam at Skardu, 18mw hydel power project at Naltar, Karakoram University and construction of three major roads were some of the main projects launched during Musharraf government.

He said that tender for civil work of the dam had been finalized and would begin soon.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf would inaugurate the construction work and the dam would be completed in three years at a cost of Rs2 billion.

Mr Nashad, who is defective chief minister of Gilgit- Baltistan, said the annual development plan (ADP) of the area was enhanced by 35 per cent last year. A major chunk of the budget had been earmarked for power sector with Rs600 million being spent on 36 schemes in order to overcome power crisis, he added.

He further said that the government had signed an agreement with China for a loan of $190 million for construction of an 1 8mw power project at Naltar, near Gilgit. The project would be completed in four years.

Baltistan would also get 18mw power after the completion of various small projects at various places, on which work was under way. Similarly in education sector, the government had reserved Rs276.7 for 64 development schemes.

Mr Nashad said that the Karakoram University was already functioning.

Talking about communication, he said that work on Gilgit- Chitral road was near completion.

Similarly, he added, work on Chilas-Kaghan and Skardu-Astore roads was in progress. “After completion of these roads it will help boost tourism,” he added.

Replying to a query, the Northern Areas deputy chief executive said that PC-1 of widening and maintenance of Gilgit-Skardu road had been prepared and sent to the National Highway Authority for approval. Rs880 million was being spent on the project.