PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to set up a 14-kilomete long cable car, which will connect scenic tourist resort of Kumrat in Upper Dir with Madaklasht area of Chitral, at an estimated cost of Rs32 billion.

A statement issued here said that the decision was made in a meeting of the tourism department, chaired by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and attended by Tourism Secretary Mohammad Abid Majeed and other senior officials.

The meeting gave go ahead to the department to carry out detailed feasibility study and engineering design of the project. However, it was not immediately clear from where the massive sum of Rs32 billion would come to complete the project in one of the most difficult terrains of the province.

The statement said that the proposed cable car would be the longest and highest of its kind in the world. After completion, it was likely to attract eight million foreign and local tourists to the province and generate employment opportunities.

The cable car would have car parking facilities on both the stations whereas it will have an intermediate station as well with restaurant and other allied facilities. The feasibility study of the project will be completed in five to six months.

It is not clear from where Rs32bn will come for the project

“The proposed cable car will be built on international standards which, on completion, would attract foreign and local tourists in a large number. The project is environment-friendly and feasible on the grounds that no land acquisition process is involved therein,” said the statement.

The chief minister directed authorities to immediately start work on the feasibility and engineering design of the project. He said that the proposed project was of high importance to boost tourism activities. He termed promotion of tourism one of the top priorities of government.

The meeting also discussed matters related to the restoration and development of famous tourists destination of Sheikh Badin and it was informed that a project in that regard was reflected in the current Annual Development Programme.

The PC-I of the project has been submitted to Provincial Developmental Working Party for approval.

Meanwhile, Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) on Thursday approved 19 projects at an estimated cost of Rs26.6 billion.

The forum’s first session for the current fiscal was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan and 30 projects in various sectors were presented before it for discussion and approval.

The proposed projects belong to agriculture, forestry, elementary and secondary education, higher education, urban development, health, relief and rehabilitation, Auqaf, roads, board of revenue, water, energy and power sectors.

A statement issued here said that PDWP approved 19 projects at an estimated cost of Rs26.66 billion. Of the remaining 11 projects, three projects were sent to Central Development Working Party (CDWP) for consideration while eight schemes were deferred for further review and rectification by the respective line departments.

The statement said that the forum approved merged areas integrated development forestry project and setting up a mini-zoo at Kanju Township in Swat. It also approved establishment of University of Engineering and Technology in Swat.

The meeting also approved construction of weirs in Bada Kheli and Neeli Tangi areas in Khyber tribal district as well as development of command areas around Khurshid Dam and Warsak Left Bank Canal in Mohmand.

The forum approved upgradation of rural health centres in Malakand and Buner district to Category-D hospitals. The integration of vital health services has also been extended for a three-month implementation period with special focus on maternal and child health, lady health workers, expanded programme on immunisation and nutrition.

Establishment of Saidu College of Dentistry in the existing Saidu Medical College was also approved. The forum also approved a new general bus stand in Peshawar for which Peshawar Development Authority will raise the funds for acquisition of sufficient land. The extension of underpass in Jehangirabad was also approved under the Peshawar Uplift Programme.

The meeting also approved construction of and rehabilitation of several raods in Bannu including Mirakhel, Kakki-II, Ismailkhel, Qalander, Khujare, Khujamad Mandan and Kalakhel roads.

The computerisation of land record in the remaining districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be undertaken by Board of Revenue.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2020