The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is making different advanced roads to make sure easy access to the tourist spots at an estimated cost of Rs 13 billion, thus boosting the tourism sector in the province.
This announcement was made in a progress review meeting of the Tourism Department held on Friday under the headship of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, said a handout.
Under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development (KITE) scheme, two key projects including Mankyal to Bada Sehri road and Thandiani road were on track which would be implemented at a projected cost of Rs 4,631 million and Rs 3,182 million respectively.
The members of the meeting were further informed that development work on several approach roads to the tourist spots in the Hazara division was underway which would be accomplished at a total cost of Rs 4.6 billion.
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Moreover, it was also briefed that the construction of the approach road to the Sheikh Badin tourist site was progressing effectively. Four Integrated Tourism Zones are being developed in the province including Mankyal (Swat), Ghanol (Mansehra), Thandiani (Abbottabad), and Madaklasht (Chitral).
A total of 150 prefabricated washrooms were being installed in the various tourism areas out of which installation of 35 units has been accomplished so far, members of the meeting were informed. Two ambulances and one fire fighting vehicle have also been given to each tourist center.
Besides, 65 % of civil work had been finalized on the dualization of the Swabi-Mardan road and the project would be accomplished by December this year, up to now an amount of Rs 4.4 billion has been disbursed on the dualization project.
It was told that under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Roads Development Project, rehabilitation of 1337 km long district roads would be done along with the construction of 62 bridges.
Meanwhile, the chief minister ordered the official to make Special Development Authorities operational as early as possible. He directed the concerned officials to make sure the safety measures for boating in rivers and dams.
