News
Pak Army 14 Battalions engineers deployed for construction of shelter homes
RAWALPINDI, Nov 28 : As many as fourteen Battalions of the Pakistan Army Engineers employed in earthquake affected areas are working to construct shelter homes for the affected people who lost their abodes in the 8th October earthquake.
So far over 18269 shelters have been completed by Army Engineers troops in collaboration with volunteers and NGOs in various areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP.
All these shelters have been constructed at places between 5000-8000 feet height. While another 4750 shelters are under construction which will be complete in couple of days.
Preference for construction of shelters is being given to those areas above 5000 feet height in villages of Patiks, Reali, Tithwal, Lipa, Gari Dupatta, Hatian Balla, Chikar Khas, Chakoti in Azad Kashmir and villages of Shoal Najaf, Mahandri, Kawai, Shogran Jareed ,Paras, Dadar, Jabori, Sacha Kalan, Gari Habib Ullah and surrounding areas of Shinkiari and Allai in NWFP where severe winter has already set in and snow fall is expected in next few days.
In Azad Kashmir 14241 shelter homes have been completed while 936 are still under construction. In the District of Bagh 2204 shelters have been constructed by an Engineer Battalion while 450 shelters have been completed in Rawlakot.
In Jhelum Valley two Engineers Battalion are committed in construction of shelter homes beside maintaining the deteriorated roads and tracks in the valley. While in Neelum valley two Engineer Battalions are committed in construction of shelter homes.
In NWFP 4019 shelters have been completed in various areas while 3814 are still under construction.
The preference for preparation of shelter homes is being given to those families who are without any male member in the home and they are living above 5000 feet.
Each shelter home is constructed over an area of 200 square feet with the help of CGI sheets and wooden frame.
Dedicated units of Army Engineers are assigned the task of construction of these shelter homes with the help of NGOs and volunteers.
Additional manpower have been hired. Various teams comprising ten members, a non commissioned officer, two masons, two carpenters, one electrician and four helper are undertaking this arduous task of construction of shelters at the mountain peaks.