Earthquake-hit areas: ERRA releases Rs1.5b for reconstruction

MUZAFFARABAD: The Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) has released Rs1.5 billion to reconstruct the earthquake-hit areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), officials said on Thursday.

The money has been earmarked for use during the ongoing financial year.

More than 70 per cent of the allocation is expected to be spent on schools already under-construction well as other education-related infrastructure in areas such as Bagh, Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot.

A total of 159 projects are underway in the three earthquake-hit districts.

All the funds would be released in coordination with State Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (SERRA).

SERRA has been working in earthquake-hit areas for the last 12 years in AJK.

Interestingly, the sanctioned amount is more than the budget for any department of the AJK government.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2017.