MANSEHRA: PML-N MNA and the prime minister’s son-in-law Mohammad Safdar on Friday said the federal government would supply electricity to many villages in Torghar district at the cost of Rs200 million.

He was speaking to a delegation of the elders from his constituency, NA-21 Torghar, which called on him here.

The visitors led by Amir Mohammad Khan informed the lawmaker about the problems of the NA-21 people.

Mohammad Safdar told them that the federal government was committed to addressing the problems of the people living in remote areas of the district and therefore, Rs200 million had been allocated for electrification of villages.

He said the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority would rebuild 15 basic health units in NA-21.

TRAFFIC PLAN FINALISED: The traffic department of Mansehra police has developed a plan to ensure smooth flow of traffic and offer tourist information to visitors in Kaghan valley.

“We have set many information points at Karakoram Highway and Kaghan Road not only to provide information to tourists but also to maintain the flow of traffic during the tourism season in the district,” head of the traffic affairs in the district Jamal Zeb told reporters here on Friday.

Mr. Zeb said last year, thousands of tourists were stranded and hundreds of vehicles were stuck in Kaghan valley due to the sudden snowfall.

He said a comprehensive strategy had been made to prevent such a situation in the valley during the current tourism season.

“Under the plan, traffic wardens will be deployed at small distances to ensure smooth flow of traffic and update visitors on the ground situation, especially on roads,” he said.

The official said Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad road was in dilapidated condition, while the valley was very vulnerable to landslides at some places.

He said though the department had taken up the matter with the National Highway Authority, the tourists, too, should be careful about roads.

“Though our wardens will guide them about the situation, especially on road condition, tourists should be careful while driving to avoid accidents,” he said.

Mr. Zeb said the entry of truckers and heavy vehicles to the city would be banned during the rush hours.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2016