Work on New Balakot City Begins in NW Pakistan  
'Pakistan Times' National News Desk

BAKRYAL: President General Pervez Musharraf performed ground breaking of a Rs. 12 billion (US$ 200 million) modern city to be built in place of old Balakot that was devastated in the October 8, 2005 earthquake.

"I had promised the people to convert this challenge into an opportunity and today I have fulfilled it," President Musharraf told a gathering atop a small hillock overlooking the spacious valley that will house 50,000 people.

President Musharraf said in his numerous visits to the earthquake devastated areas, he saw death and destruction every where and pledged to provide much better facilities than the people had earlier.

He expressed gratitude to the people of Pakistan, country's armed forces, and the world community in general, UN organizations and NGOs for their help and assistance following the earthquake and described it as "humanity at its best."

He said neither there was any epidemic, nor there was second wave of death as was being predicted and said that with God's help and determination of the nation all challenges were overcome.

The President dismissed the cynicism of "people with negative tendencies" who made such predictions.

"Look at what we have achieved," he said and mentioned the health centers and schools that were today better equipped and pledged better facilities in all new projects.

The President appreciated that over 93 per cent population of the old Balakot city was willing to shift to the new township.

President Musharraf announced that loans acquired from Zarai Tarqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) in Tehsil Balakot will be waived off.

He asked the authorities to design earthquake resistant houses that meet the requirement of the local people.

"But do ensure that no trees are cut for the project and the new site is be eco-friendly," he directed Ms Nespak that has worked on the feasibility and design of the project.

The garden city concept will have lush green areas in the periphery and already covered with pine trees.

The President also appreciated the contribution and work of Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) and its staff in the reconstruction and rebuilding efforts.

The New Balakot will be built 20 km south of the old city, and 15 km north of Mansehra. Around 78 per cent of the old Balakot city lies on two fault lines-- Main Boundary Thrust and Himalayan Frontal Thrust-- and was flattened by an earthquake of 7.6 magnitude which killed 73,000 people.

Chairman ERRA Altaf Saleem giving briefing to the President said Rs. 35 billion are being spent on reconstruction in Mansehra and out of which Rs. 27 billion were being spent only for Balakot's reconstruction.

He said the site for new city of Balakot has been selected through a consensus with NWFP Government and local population.

He termed it a historical moment and added that the project has been termed as "sensational success housing project".

Deputy Chairman ERRA Lt. Gen. Nadim Ahmed briefing the President said the New Balakot City to be constructed in line with future requirements is located 22 kilometers from the old one at Bakryal.

He said an area of 1,425 acres (11,400 kanals) had been acquired for this project which will be completed in three-year.

The new city will be equipped with all modern facilities, and it could be expanded in three different directions, while it has the capacity to house 2.5 million people in next 25 years.

He said France, Libya and United Kingdom have already provided US $ 75 million -- about 25 million each-- while the rest of the amount would be provided by government of Pakistan that would provide residential facilities to up to 50,000 quake-hit people.

He said the new city would have 40 feet roads with schools, mosques, hospitals and other services just 5 to 10 minutes walk.

The launching of the new city was also witnessed by Governor NWFP Lt Gen (Retd) Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai, Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani, federal ministers and parliamentarians.●