New Balakot City finally sees progress

October 2005’s earthquake is unknown to only a few people. Often seen as one of the worst earthquakes to hit Pakistan, the calamity left many displaced. New Balakot City was launched in 2007 to accommodate victims of the earthquake.
In the aftermath, survivors had been forced to live in makeshift homes in Balakot’s Red Zone. At that time, they had been promised alternate accommodation in the shape of the New Balakot City. However, it has been more than a decade and government authorities have not been able to develop the society. This is partly because the land marked for the project is still being occupied by its previous owners, despite the government spending over PKR 1.2 billion on compensations.
The housing project in question was originally supposed to be completed by 2011, but the land required for the project has become a bone of contention between landowners and the government.
However, there is light at the end of this tunnel. I have found out that concerned authorities will issue allotment letters for plots in New Balakot City on April 3, and a standing committee of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has told the district administration to expedite the preparation of documents in this regard.
What about the landowners?
Reportedly, most landowners had promised in writing that they would support the government for the smooth execution of the New Balakot City project.
The next step for the government is to demolish houses in the area. People who have received payment against their properties will have to sit through having their houses razed if they don’t honour their end of the deal. According to a news source, landowners have been informed in advance, and will be responsible for any untoward circumstances if they do not vacate the area.
Two plots have been allocated as compensation for each landowner in New Balakot City, and if they do not act as directed by the government, their allotment will be cancelled, and their houses will be razed.
Initially, only one plot had been allocated for each landowner, however, when they demanded more compensation the government decided to allocate two plots each.
Where is the project headed?
Now that the authorities concerned have planned to issue allotment letters to respective allottees and a stern action has been planned against those creating hurdles in the execution of the project, things seem to be heading in a positive direction.
Reportedly, the district administration will issue allotment letters to 4,000 families by April 3. If the government completes the project as planned, the earthquake victims in Balakot will take a sigh of relief and finally find a place they can call home.
The project will span more than 11,000 kanals, out of which only 2,000-kanals of land has been given to the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA). The authority has already completed the road infrastructure and sewerage system needed for the area. The authority might take a couple of years to complete the project


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