KOHAT, May 19: Provincial revenue minister Qalb-i-Hassan on Saturday warned the communication and works department engineers of strict action over negligence and delay in construction of Kohat-Hangu and Kohat-Bannu highways.

He issued the warning while inspecting work on the two highways along with sub-divisional officer Musawar and sub-engineer Nadeem Paracha.

The minister asked engineers to work diligently and ensure use of quality material in highways to avoid strict action.

He asked the contractor to complete work on the two highways within the stipulated time and said if that didn’t happen, then he would be heavily fined.

Earlier, tehsil municipal officer Mohammad Shoaib briefed the minister about the project.

Social worker Saadullah Khan, who was also in attendance, said engineers didn’t know in what direction sewer lines had been laid on Hangu Road and feared the contractor.

He said the contractor was deliberately delaying work on the project and had stressed out motorists and commuters by uprooting the old highway in Kohat.

The minister later visited Garhi Dhodewal area and expressed the hope that work of a local bridge would be completed shortly.

He assured locals of the approval of a new water pipeline in the next fiscal.

Meanwhile, electric supply to almost entire Kohat district was restored on Saturday, the third day of the eruption of a huge fire at the Rawalpindi Road grid station.

Only a few villages continue to be without electricity.

However, electric supply couldn’t be restored to Hangu district.

The Rs150 million worth of electric transformer from which electricity was provided to Hangu district and 22 western villages of Kohat was completely destroyed in the fire. It was later removed by cranes.

Supply of electricity to posh KDA Town and Chakarkot area was resumed on Saturday. However, it was snapped for removal of faults on all distribution lines in Kohat city.

Repair of the three main transformers, which were partially damaged, is underway. For the time being, the electric supply department had diverted electricity from these transformers’ lines to some bazaar areas.

A relevant official said restoration of electric supply to Hangu district was not possible for at least a month.

He, however, said arrangements could be made to supply electricity to the district for a few hours daily until then.