ISLAMABAD, May 19: A fast-track school reconstruction strategy has been evolved in the earthquake-devastated areas, said deputy chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmed.

He was talking to a delegation of elected representatives from Azad Jammu and Kashmir here on Saturday.

He said in order to expedite school reconstruction, light frame steel structures were being used in 400 schools, which would be replicated in other areas if found successful.

He said he had ordered provision of tents to the tent schools affected by the recent spell of rain and hailstorm.

According to a press release issued by Erra, the elected representatives raised various issues facing the people in their respective constituencies especially in housing, health, education and transport sectors.

The Erra official said genuine problems of the people would be solved on a priority basis

He said one of the basic responsibilities of Erra was to ensure seismically resistant construction in the affected areas of AJK and NWFP. He said there would be room for minor adjustments without compromising on the basic building codes.

Regarding problems of people living in snow-bound areas, he said they may opt for Bhatter and Dhajji type of construction that was cheaper as well as ensured maximum protection against severe weather conditions.

He ordered availability of construction material on hubs set up by the government to provide various items on less than market rates. He said Erra had to set up main hubs that were functional and providing construction material on competitive rates, whereas the forward hubs were the responsibility of the AJK government.

Talking about construction of roads, he said all inter- district and intra-district roads were being redesigned and a consultant for the purpose had already been hired.