Troops of Pakistan Army Engineers and Frontier Works Organisation, since their employment in affected areas immediately after the earthquake, have done extremely well in restoration of road communication, removal of debris, provision of clean drinking water to the affected people, reconstruction of damaged buildings and construction of shelters for the needy people.
According to ISPR, more than 14 engineers battalions were employed immediately after the earthquake in various areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP for restoration of road network. The troops of Army Engineers accomplished this arduous task of opening of road well ahead the estimated time.
Particularly the opening of Neelum Valley road within 40 days was a task impossible. After 62 days since earthquake hit in Azad Kashmir and NWFP the Army engineers are still busy in their area of responsibility and are constructing shelters and maintaining long stretches of roads. Army Engineers while clearing rubble from cities particularly in Muzaffarbad have also retrieved valuable items worth millions of rupees and handed them over to the government authorities.
An Engineers Brigade group committed in Muzaffarbad city during last 24 hours have constructed a 152 feet of boundary wall with CGI sheets at Post Graduate College for women. They have also constructed 1,500 shelters and over 2,000 are under construction.
In Neelum valley an engineers battalion along with a construction team of Frontier Works Organisation is maintaining Laswa bypass. They have also constructed more than 1,500 shelters for the needy people living at 5,000 feet or more height.
Another engineer battalion employed in Jhelum valley besides constructing move that 3,000 shelters, are also busy in maintenance of Jhelum valley road, defence road and other secondary roads in the areas.
An engineer battalion is committed in Bagh, which has constructed more than 21,000 shelters and is also providing clean drinking water to the people from two water points. Engineers battalions are also employed in Gari Dopatta, Rawlakot and Haveli where they have constructed 18,000 shelters.
Mostly the shelters have been constructed in Dhir Kot, Berican, Barar, Shaheed Gula, Ali Sojal, Dothan Stai Valley in Rawlakot. In Gari Dupatta area the shelters have been constructed in Lunian, and Rub Hali.
In NWFP the shelters have been constructed in Shawal Najaf, Hugrai and Sarash, Dhong, Jabri Jabbi areas of Balakot. In Shinkari the shelters have been constructed in Sachal Kalan, Manda Gucha, Bali Mong, Deoli and Jabbar.
Besides construction of shelters, more than 11,000 tents have also been pitched at 65 locations of Azad Kashmir and NWFP to accommodate 106,203 displaced people. US Army Engineers and Nato Engineers are also assisting the locals in affected areas for construction of shelters and removal of rubble.
US Engineers troops have cleared 1,930 dump trucks of rubble and constructed 36 shelters. They have also constructed 3 wooden huts and few other are under progress for Girls High School Miani Bandi.
Nato troops are busy in maintenance of roads, construction of retaining walls, removal of rubble and construction of new building in Arja, Bagh. They have completed three retaining walls on road Arja-NRF camp, removed a total of 1,900 dump trucks and are constructing three semi permanent buildings at Government High School and Arja Rural Health Centre. The Nato engineers are also committed in widening of road Balko-Rangla.