Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mehdi Shah on Thursday announced a a number of development schemes for the garrison town of Bunji, the regimental centre of the Northern Light Infantry (NLI) in Astor District.
Addressing a public rally at a local school after performing the ground breaking of a suspension bridge, the chief minister announced a grant of Rs40 million for provision of clean drinking water to the town located on the west bank of River Indus, 50 kilometres from Gilgit, the region’s capital city.
The bridge was swept away by last year’s floods and the town remained disconnected from rest of Gilgit for quite some time before the historic Partap Pul was renovated.
An RCC bridge will also be constructed to link the town with the KKH.
Shah also announced upgradation of the high school and a Rs50,000 grant for the boy scouts. He lauded the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government for empowering the people of G-B to solve their problems.
Before liberation of Gilgit-Baltistan on November 1, 1947, Jammu and Kashmir’s Dogra forces were stationed at Bunji.
Bunji dam
Bunji dam, one of the eight largest hydel power projects of Pakistan, will be constructed some 83km from Gilgit on Skardu road near Asmani Mor and at the confluence of three great mountain ranges – Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindukush. After completion it will generate 7,200MW electricity. Currently, this project is undergoing the process of feasibility study and detailed design stages. The Pakistan government signed an agreement with China for construction of the dam in 2009.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2011.
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