Erra approves non-engineered construction technique design

Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) has approved "Bhattar" design, a non-engineered construction technique; on the request of people of Batagram.
The 'Improved Bhattar Design' had been introduced to resolve the issue of construction of houses which were non-compliant and resultantly, people were not being paid the housing grant, said Deputy Chairman, Erra, Lieutenant General Sajjad Akram, while talking to a delegation from Allai District Batagram. Delegation was led by Prince Nawaz Allai and he appreciated the efforts of Erra for the rehabilitation and reconstruction in the area which was severely damaged by the earthquake of October 2005.
He gave details about the 'Bhattar' Designed Housing Strategy in Allai Valley which was an improved traditional design house introduced by Erra in the reconstruction of houses in the earthquake affected areas. He said that the issue of Non Compliant "Bhattar" houses came to Erra notice when over 5000 houses were declared non-compliant by Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) engineers as they required engineering judgement on site to declare them compliant.
General Sajjad said, the issue created hardships for the people who created law and order situation in Batagram which warranted Erra's intervention, being the leading government agency.
Erra has constituted a special team of qualified engineers to carry out sample inspection of these houses to find out whether the houses were compliant or not, he said, adding that as a result of the survey all the houses had found to be compliant by Erra engineers and PPAF had been directed to release them the payment.
Deputy Chairman said that it would help 5,300 people in getting their third tranche of rural housing, adding that all these houses will again be inspected for the final tranche and if found compliant, rest of the amount ie Rs 50,000 will be released to them per house. He said that this all was done to ensure transparency of the system and the seismic resistance of the houses inspected.
"We appreciate the efforts put in by Prince Nawaz Allai (MNA) from Batagram and his team and PPAF which agreed to accept Erra decision on this important issue," he said. With this decision of Erra all "Bhattar" houses verified by SRSP will become compliant and will receive the held up housing subsidy, Deputy Chairman (Erra) added.
He pointed out Erra's initiative was not at the cost of any organisation rather it brings a win situation for all stakeholders as the matter itself was very complex and it was not possible for any single organisation to have resolved it amicably. He requested all the people to reconstruct their houses as per Erra design and before May 30 which is the last date of inspection.