PESHAWAR, Jan 10: In all, a total of 30 new development schemes have been launched in Khyber Agency with an estimated cost of Rs425.366 million to improve the socio-economic conditions of the tribal people.

According to an update progress report of development schemes in Khyber Agency, the new projects have been approved in education, health, communication, housing, agriculture, livestock, forest, fisheries, Irrigation, mineral and industry sectors.

Out of the estimated cost of Rs425.366 million, an amount of Rs47.605 has been released for quick execution of these schemes.

Among the new projects, major thrust has been laid on the construction of protection spurs on both sides of Bara river at an estimated cost of Rs60 million for which an amount of Rs2 million has been allocated.

The other big scheme relates to purchase of the state-of-the-art equipment for the agency headquarters hospital at Landi Kotal, costing Rs39.347 million.

Whereas, another scheme, costing Rs30 million, has been launched for irrigation sector.

Apart from these new schemes, work on 75 development schemes is already in progress in the agency. The 75 schemes were approved with an estimated cost of Rs1,089.272 million and launched during the year 2002-03.-APP