Pakistan to Speed Up Key Highway and Motorway Projects
Pakistan's Planning Minister directs National Highway Authority to accelerate work on major highways and motorways.
Pakistan is set to accelerate work on several key highways and motorways, the state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday.
The Planning Minister, Ahsan Iqbal, has instructed the National Highway Authority to speed up projects and ensure efficient use of public funds.
The 216-kilometre Shandur-Gilgit Road project, budgeted at around Rs50 billion, has made 67.33 percent progress, while the 153-kilometre Chitral-Booni Mastuj-Shandur Road project, costing over Rs17 billion, has achieved 40 percent completion.
The Karachi-Quetta-Chaman Road dualization and rehabilitation project, spanning 273 kilometres at a cost of over Rs183 billion, has reached 19.25 percent physical progress.
The minister emphasized the need to accelerate the Karachi-Kararo and Wadh-Khuzdar sections of the corridor to boost connectivity and trade.
The Shikarpur-Rajanpur Additional Carriageway Project on the Indus Highway, covering 221.9 kilometres at a cost of over Rs44 billion, has made 62 percent progress.
However, the Rajanpur-Dera Ghazi Khan section of the Indus Highway, budgeted at over Rs63 billion, is awaiting letters of award due to land acquisition issues.
The Dera Ghazi Khan-Dera Ismail Khan section of the Indus Highway, costing around Rs111 billion, has been awarded and is under contractor mobilization.
The Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway and Lowari Tunnel projects are currently in the procurement stage.
Ahsan Iqbal directed authorities to remove procedural bottlenecks and expedite procurement to ensure progress on these critical projects.
Project Updates
The 210-kilometre dualization and improvement of the existing N-50 from Yarik through Sagu to Zhob, including the Zhob Bypass, costing over Rs76 billion, has achieved 10 percent physical progress.
Economic Impact
The minister highlighted the importance of timely completion of these projects for economic growth, trade, and regional connectivity.
Pakistan's infrastructure development is crucial for its economic growth, with a focus on improving connectivity and trade routes.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major development project, aims to boost Pakistan's economy through infrastructure development and increased trade with China.
