Peshawar - Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan on Monday described proposed Mingora Greater Water Supply Project as of vital importance for the city and said that on completion the project would provide all time solution to the long-standing issue of water scarcity in Mingora city.  

Presiding over a progress review meeting on various development schemes of district Swat, the Chief Minister directed the authorities concerned for necessary steps to complete acquisition of land for the proposed project and to devise a realistic way-forward to address the genuine reservations of the land owners.  

The Chief Minister directed Commissioner Malakand to visit the proposed site jointly with respective elected public representatives, district administration and authorities of local government and come up with solid proposals in consultation with land owners to resolve the issue as soon as possible. He urged upon authorities that grievances of land owners should be addressed on priority so that the project could be initiated in an efficient and pleasant manner.  

Member National Assembly Dr. Haider Ali, MPA Fazal Hakim, Commissioner Malakand Division, Deputy Commissioner Swat and high ups of relevant provincial departments attended the meeting.  

Mahmood Khan directs steps to complete acquisition of land for the project

Briefing about the Mingora Gravity Water Supply Scheme, the forum was informed that the project would be completed with the financial assistance of Asian Development Bank (ADB) under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project (KPCIP). The project would have 20km long pipeline and state of the art Water Treatment Plant.  

The meeting was informed that under the project, 85% water would be supplied from pure gravity whereas 15% of water would be provided through solar pumping. The project has been devised keeping in view the requirements of the city for next 25 years.  

The forum was also briefed about the progress so far made on various projects of establishing colleges in district Swat. It was informed that work was in full swing on establishment of Government Degree Colleges Vanai, Shamozai and Bagh Dheri which would be completed within the current financial year.  

Similarly, PC-1s for establishment of Government Degree Colleges Saidu Sharif and Charbagh have also been approved by relevant forum whereas tenders of these two projects would be floated very soon.  

Similarly, projects for strengthening Post Graduate College Matta and Government Degree College Madyan would also be completed during the year 2021-22. 

The meeting also reviewed the proposed Fateh Pur Irrigation Channel’s Extension and Improvement Project. It was told that on completion of the 30-kilometre long extension project, additional 18 cusecs of water would be available which would irrigate around two thousands of additional land of the area.  

On the occasion, the Chief Minister directed the quarters concerned to complete the engineering design and PC-1 of the extension project as per stipulated timelines and fulfil all pre-requisites for launching civil work on the improvement of already existing Fateh Pur irrigation channel.  

The Chief Minister also directed the authorities concerned to prepare a master plan for the construction of public parks and walking tracks on lands retrieved during recent anti encroachment drives on Swat River side.