delays, the residents are exposed to the recurrence of tragic-like situation.
As the execution of the project started, the first challenge was to purchase land for the site of the new city located at 20-kilometers away at a safer place from the existing location. Earthquake-proof buildings were to be constructed. The amount of Rs1.5 billion allocated for buying land was handed over to the KP government in 2008 that disbursed the money to the owners but failed in acquiring land from them. The Erra that is dealing on behalf of the federal government launched an operation to vacate the land in September 2009 and met a stiff resistance in shape of attacks. The retaliation from the government machinery then left three persons injured and one killed.
The efforts resumed in October 2010 that received a little success as 14% land could be cleared. The new city is divided in five sectors from A to E. The area allocated for the sectors A, B and E is still under the occupation of the landlords who had received money but are reluctant to hand over.
A blame-game is going on between the federal and provincial government regarding the failure on vacating the area as Erra complains against the lack of cooperation from the KP government for vacating the land as it has to be done through police force. Around a dozen high-level meetings have been held in vain to sort out the issues plaguing the progress on this project.
Disappointed by the government, many residents have reconstructed their houses in the old city. While the building codes were introduced for strict implementation in the vulnerable areas, they are being violated with impunity.
Developments funds are also being invested in the old city for setting up schools and hospitals instead of focusing on the new city. Regardless the fact that who is prime culprit in delaying this project, the lack of political will is exposing the residents of this area to another tragic-like situation.
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