PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has directed the authorities concerned for necessary steps to complete acquisition of land for the proposed Mingora Greater Water Supply Project and a realistic way-forward be devised to address the genuine reservations of the land owners.
He directed Commissioner Malakand to visit the proposed site jointly with respective elected public representatives, district administration and authorities of local government and come up with solid proposals in consultation with land owners to resolve the issue as soon as possible. He urged upon authorities that the grievances of land owners should be addressed on top priority so that the project could be initiated in an efficient and pleasant manner. He termed this project as of vital importance for the city and added that the project on completion would provide all time solution to the long standing issue of water scarcity in Mingora City.
He was chairing a progress review meeting on various developmental schemes of district Swat. Member National Assembly Dr Haider Ali, MPA Fazal Hakim, Commissioner Malakand Division, Deputy Commissioner Swat and high ups of relevant provincial departments attended the meeting.
Briefing about the Mingora Gravity Water Supply Scheme, the forum was informed that the project would be completed with the financial assistance of Asian Development Bank under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project (KPCIP) adding that the project would have 20 km long pipeline and state of the art Water Treatment Plant. It was informed that under this gravity based water project, 85% water would be supplied from pure gravity whereas 15% of water would be provided through solar pumping.
The project has been devised keeping in view the requirements of the City for next 25 years. The forum was also briefed about the progress so far made on various projects of establishing Colleges in district Swat, and it was informed that work was in full swing on establishment of Government Degree Colleges Vanai, Shamozai and Bagh Dheri which would be completed within the current financial year.
Similarly, PC-1s for establishment of Government Degree Colleges Saidu Sharif and Charbagh have also been approved by relevant forum whereas tenders of these two projects will be floated very soon. Similarly projects for strengthening Post Graduate College Matta and Government Degree College Madyan would also be completed during the year 2021-22.
The meeting also reviewed the proposed Fateh Pur irrigation channel’s Extension and Improvement Project. It was told that, on completion of the 30 kilometers long extension project, additional 18 cusecs of water would be available which would irrigate around two thousands of additional land of the area.
On this occasion, the chief minister directed the quarters concerned to complete the engineering design and PC-1 of the extension project as per stipulated timelines and fulfill all the pre-requisites for launching civil work on the improvement of already existing Fateh Pur irrigation channel.
He also directed the authorities concerned to prepare a master plan for the construction of public parks and walking tracks on lands retrieved during recent anti-encroachment drives on Swat River side.