PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government says it has strengthened emergency response in tourist areas by giving first-of-their-kind multipurpose machines to the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) and Kaghan Development Authority (KDA).
Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur handed over the machines at a ceremony in Peshawar. The units were purchased under the World Bank–funded Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development (KITE) Project.
Officials said the high-performance machines can keep roads open during heavy snowfall and clear glaciers fast. They can also remove fallen trees, cut through concrete debris, and handle metallic obstructions. The equipment works effectively even in extreme weather.
Gandapur said the government is working with partners to make tourist destinations safer and accessible year-round. “These machines will help tourists reach northern areas even in peak winter. They will also allow quick response to emergencies and protect lives,” he said.
He thanked the World Bank for its support.He said four more such machines are being procured. The government is also building better road links, upgrading tourism facilities, developing Integrated Tourism Zones, and opening new tourist sites.
The chief minister said the “Host Home Stay” programme will give tourists quality accommodation and create jobs for local communities.“These steps will strengthen tourism on a sustainable basis and boost the province’s economy,” Gandapur said.
Provincial cabinet members and senior officials from the Tourism Department, GDA, and KDA attended the ceremony.