SHIKARPUR: Governor Sindh Imran Ismail has said that upgradation and rehabilitation of Indus Highway will gear up pace of socio-economic development of the country, particularly in interior parts of Sindh Province.
He was addressing as chief guest of the ground breaking ceremony of Ratodero-Shikarpur section of Indus Highway at Shikarpur Bypass on Wednesday. NHA’s Member South Zone, Tufail Ahmed Shaikh also spoke on the occasion. Senior officers from Ministry of Communications, National Highway Authority, Provincial Government and local administration were also present.
Imran Ismail said, project for construction of 2-Lane additional carriageway is being undertaken under Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program and that Asian Development Bank is providing financial assistance for this project. Under this program, eight sections of Indus Highway will be upgraded in four phases which include Phase-I: Petaro-Sehwan Section (64KM), Ratodero-Shikarpur Section (43KM) & Dara Adam Khel-Peshawar Section (34KM), Phase-II: Shikarpur-Rajanpur Section (224KM), Phase III-IV: D.G.Khan-D.I.Khan Section (208 KM), Rajanpur-D.G Khan Section (122 KM),
Jamshoro-Sehwan Section (130 KM) & Ratodero-Shikarpur Section (43 KM).
The Governor further said, Ratodero-Shikarpur project possesses extra-ordinary significance for people of Interior Sindh as it will pave the way for the agricultural and industrial development. The project will not only provide better transportation facilities but agricultural production of the area will easily be taken to big markets. Ratodero-Shikarpur will also generate new employment opportunities for the youth, he added.
NHA’s Member South Zone, Tufail Ahmed Shaikh in his address said 43.4 Km long Ratodero-Shikarpur section will be completed at the cost of Rs. 4.94 billion in 2 years period.
Speaking about background of CAREC program he said that CAREC program is a partnership of eleven (11) countries and development partners working together to promote development through cooperation, leading to accelerated economic growth.
Member countries include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Pakistan road network is connected to CAREC Corridor 5 which connects Central Asian Nations and Arabian Sea, specifically Indus Highway N-55.
Tufail Shaikh further said, Indus Highway in the country is an alternative shorter route between Karachi and Peshawar as compared to National Highway N-5. Upgradation and Rehabilitation of Indus Highway will reduce load of commercial traffic on N-5 and accelerate pace of economic activities.
In his opening remarks Member Planning NHA Muhammad Naveed Iqbal Wahla said, responsibility for construction and maintenance of motorways, national highways and strategic roads in the country is assigned to National Highway Authority. A major chunk of trade traffic and transportation of passengers is associated with NHA road network. Presently, NHA is developing epoch making China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project gradually. Giving answers to the questions in E-Kachehri, he said, Maintenance units of NHA have started working for repair and maintenance of roads affected by the previous spell of heavy rains.
Speaking about Rate of NOC Fee of NHA Right of Way (ROW), Naveed Iqbal said that income received for NOC’s and Toll Plazas is used for maintenance of road network and NHA is endeavoring to enhance its fund generating resources. In order to ensure quality construction of roads, consultants are appointed. Documentary work is being completed for undertaking Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway, he added. Maintenance of Potholes on road near Kohinoor Mills Rawalpindi will be started soon. He informed that advertisement has been published for appointment of Consultant on Multan-Muzaffargarh Road. He said, Balkasar-Mianwali road has recently been handed over to NHA, while steps are being taken to improve Quetta-Karachi National Highway.
With input from INP
