ISLAMABAD, June 9: The government has allocated Rs2.219 billion for various ongoing and a few new development projects, including Rs300 million foreign aid component for three major road projects, in Northern Areas under the Public Sector Development Programme 2003-2004.
Substantial allocation has been made for projects in water and power, communications, education and health sectors.
For the completion of the Mansehra-Naran-Jhalkot road Rs700 million has been earmarked. With the completion of the road the problem of blockade of the Karakoram Highway will be resolved and the travelling time will be reduced. Another Rs50 million will be spent on the 45km Jhalkot-Chilas road and Rs50 million on construction of five bridges on Gilgit-Skardu roads.
On the KKH-Skardu road, Rs50 million will be spent during 2003-2004.
In the water and power sector, Rs200 million has been earmarked for the multipurpose Satpara dam project. Another Rs200 million has been allocated for the controversial Bhasha or Diamer Dam project. For Bunji hydropower project an allocation of Rs80 million has been made in the PSDP.
For improvement of water management practices in Northern Areas, Rs5 million has been allocated.
In the telecommunications sector, a GSM project is being initiated in the Northern Areas and AJK with an amount of Rs100 million. The project is being executed by the Special Communications Organization (SCO). The cost of the project is Rs450 million and by June 30, Rs20 million would be spent. An amount of Rs117.617 million has been allocated for setting up of international gateway and earth stations in the Northern Areas and AJK. The total cost of the project is Rs198.4 million and Rs29 million would be utilized by June 30.
An amount of Rs150 million has been earmarked for a new project in the telecommunication sector. Under the Rs500-million project, fibre optic lines will be laid between Gilgit and Mansehra.
In the education sector, Rs50 million has been allocated for the ongoing Karakuram International University project. During 2002-2003, Rs400.8 million was allocated for the project, of which only Rs100 million could be spent.
An amount of Rs24.824 million has been allocated for establishment of two information technology centres for women and two for men — two each at Skardu and Gilgit colleges.
For establishment of another IT centre at Post-Graduate College, Gilgit, and Degree College, Skardu, an amount of Rs12.412 million has been earmarked in the PSDP. The total cost of the project is Rs35.9 million and so far Rs23.5 million has been spent.
For setting up of a rehabilitation centre for special persons at Hunza, an amount of Rs10 million has been allocated.
A sum of Rs3.632 million has been earmarked for construction of two community development centres in Ghanche and Ghizer districts.
In the tourism, youth and sports sector, a sum of over Rs6 million has been allocated. Of this allocation, Rs1 million each would be spent on construction of two sports stadiums at Gilgit and Skardu; Rs2.032 million on Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation Motel at Gupis in the Ghizer district; Rs1.609 million on extension of Hunza Motel at Garelt; and Rs168,000 on roadside facilities at Astak, Baltistan.
An institute of radiotherapy and nuclear medicine will be set up in Gilgit for which an amount of Rs50 million has been allocated.
The PSDP envisages an allocation of Rs13.374 million for implementation of the Khunjerab National Park management plan; and Rs1 million for construction of inter-agency complex at Khunjerab.