Release of Fund on President Directive for Booni to Mastuj, Shundor road urged.
CHITRAL: Work on under construction road of Booni to Shundor pass via Mastuj fears to be stopped due to no fund released for this purpose. According to detail President General ® Parvez Musharaf has announced in August, 2006 for construction of 70 Kilometers long road from Booni to Shundor with width 28 feet. As some 491 million fund has been announced for this purpose which was totally releasing by Federal government but nothing was released until now and it is fear that work on ongoing project will be stopped if fund was not released immediately. Talking to local journalsits elites of the area said that construction of Booni to Mastuj and Shundoor road was started on president directive. The work was budded and it was handed over to three companies after proper tender but they were still not issued work plan due to no fund. As well as mobilization advance was also still awaited from Federal Government.
It is worth to mention here that Mastuj, Shundoor road having international importance because of linking Chitral to Northern Areas through Shundoor Pass and Ghazar district of Northern Areas. The experts also disclosed that working season has been started from April to October while work on this road will be impossible after the end of October. They also said that in case of unnecessary delay of fund its estimate will also be revised by enhancing the fund and the present estimate will not be match to the estimated fund and will be need more fund. The contractors also have warned that work will be stopped if the required fund was not released timely. People belonging to all walks of life have appeal Federal Government for early releasing of 491 million fund (earmarked on president directive) for Booni to Shundoor road so as to complete this road time with a truck able bridge at Mastuj. Shundor having international importance due to celebrating Shundor polo festival every year in July and thousands of domestic and foreign tourists approach Shundor to watch polo tournaments and other colorful programs.
Meanwhile Shundor polo festival will likely to be started from July 7 to 9. As district government of Chitral held proper debates with the authorities of Northern Areas at Ghazar District to settle Shundor dispute. Both authorities were agreed to celebrate Shundor polo festival with fully zeal and zest and the territorial problems will be solved at proper quarter. The Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gailani also expected to participate Shundor polo festival source told.
G.H. Farooqi PO Box # 50 GPO Chitral Pakistan Phone # +92 943-302295, 414418, cell phone 03025989602
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