PESHAWAR, Sept 5: Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has directed officials to accelerate work on development projects initiated under Drought Effected Rehabilitation Area (DERA) programme in 14 districts of the province.

He was presiding over a meeting regarding DERA programme here at Chief Minister's Secretariat. A detailed briefing was given to the chief minister on the on-going development schemes under DERA programme. The total estimate of the project is Rs 1,245.417 million.

The chief minister was told that construction work on 723 uplift schemes was in full swing which included 422 potable water schemes, 260 irrigation, four dams and 37 roads. The chief minister was informed that in Bannu district there were 93 water schemes which would cost Rs 191 million and so far Rs 188 million had been spent on these schemes.

Similarly, in Chitral district work on four irrigation schemes and one water supply scheme costing Rs 83 million and in D. I. Khan district 28 schemes worth Rs 110 million had been initiated which included three irrigation schemes, 23 water supply schemes and two roads.

Moreover, in Dir Upper work on 26 schemes had been initiated costing Rs 101 million while in Karak district 38 uplift schemes were near completion. In Kohistan district 31 irrigation and 55 water schemes which would cost Rs 20.76 million.

The chief minister on the occasion directed that hurdles in undertaking these projects in Kohistan district should be removed and ensure timely utilization of funds. -PPI