Construction of New Balakot City: stakeholders agree to resolve lingering issues

The stakeholders of New Balakot City have agreed to resolve the lingering issues regarding construction of New Balakot city to develop the proposed city to provide the victims of October 2005 devastating earthquake a better living. The stakeholders developed consensus here on Wednesday in a consultative meeting organised by the Earthquake Reconstruction, Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA), which was attended by a delegation of parliamentarians hailing from district Mansehra, local political leaders and Balakot affectees.
Deputy Chairman ERRA Major General Muhammad Azeem Asif invited the representative and affectees in a bid to resolve the lingering issues so that work on the construction of the New Balakot City could be initiated. Deputy Chairman ERRA highlighted: "for the development of new city ERRA needs encumbrance free land and Rs 8 billion for the development of the infrastructure facilities. Senator Salahuddin Tirimzi assured ERRA that land will be made available after due process of consultation and engagement with the residents of Bakrial.
The delegation was briefed on the progress, impediments and way forward concerning New Balakot City. A detailed briefing was made by Chief of Staff ERRA Brigadier Abu Bakr Bajwa and an exhaustive question answer session was conducted to crystallise the prevailing impediments. Newly elected Members from District and Tehsil were also invited and consulted on the way forward for completion of New Balakot.
The meeting was attended by parliamentarians including Senator Lieutenant General Salahuddin Tirimzi (Retd), MNA Captain Muhammad Safdar (Retd), MPA Zia Ur Rehman and Government functionaries. The members of delegation were apprised about history of the earthquake associated damages and factors leading to establish New City. Bajwa explained in detail that the land was acquired by the provincial government after having received funds from the federal government but despite having mutated the ownership the District authorities could not handover encumbrance free land.
He said that the main reason for non development of the new city within specified time was non availability land. The land available to ERRA is 14 percent of the acquired land and is fully developed at sector C and D whereas 1,500 plots are ready to be allotted for construction, he said.
MNA Muhammad Safdar further assured that handful miscreants will not be allowed to succeed at the expense of rightful beneficiaries, awaiting for years for the promised plots and city
He further proposed that a local Jirga be constituted with representation from all stakeholders to resolve the issue so that new city can become a reality. Provincial Assembly member Mian Zia Ur Rehman also emphasised for tangible efforts to engage locals who have created problem. At the occasion he said that in old Balakot city there is no hospital for the provision of health care facilities to the residents. Deputy Chairman said that if concerned authorities provide land for the hospital ERRA is ready for the construction of hospital. Mian Zia assured for the provision of land.
Local government representative Saeed Khan proposed that a link road of 1.5 km from Bakrial be repaired which will connect Hazara University and Mansehra city to minimise their travelling time. Director General City Development project Zafar Hussain Wahla while replying to a question apprised the delegation members that an investment of Rs 4 Billion has already been made, therefore, arranging acquired land for immediate construction is a compulsion to avoid financial loses.
Visiting Public representatives were informed that huge investment is made to make the Old Balakot city a functional urban centre with New Schools, adequate provision of Water and Sewerage, Paved Streets and an array of flood protection Bunds. He said that each family has been provided Pre-Fabricated houses and city is having business as usual.