National Highway Authority (NHA) demanded over Rs 700 billion under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for 2017-18, targeting mega infrastructure projects to complete by 2018—the year of general election.
Chairman NHA Shahid Ashraf Tarar revealed on Monday that 12 motorways/highways of the ongoing 13 mega projects would be completed by 2018.
Over Rs. 700 Billion To Be Invested on Roads Alone
The demand of over Rs 700 billion was presented before the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications on Monday for 76 projects including Rs 500 billion for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) related projects. The proposed amount includes Rs 364.8 billion local component and Rs 337.6 billion foreign aid.
Will Be Completed By 2018
The Committee headed by Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi was called to a meeting to consider progress on all the ongoing projects as well as new/proposed projects. The Committee was informed that the majority of the projects would be completed till the end of 2018. The Committee directed that the remaining work of Lyari Expressway must be completed on priority for its timely completion and inauguration in the month of April, 2017.
Chairman NHA said that Rs 188 billion against the demand of Rs 304 billion were earmarked for the NHA for the current financial year 2016-17, whereas Rs 152 billion have so far been utilized. The Authority’s expenditure is expected to cross the mark of Rs 220 billion, said Tarar, adding that government would be requested for additional funds.
Projects in Northern Areas
According to NHA presentation, NHA demanded Rs 148 billion for CPEC-western alignment, Rs 183 billion for Eastern, Rs 72 billion for Northern alignment and Rs 95 billion for Peshawar Karachi motorway. Tarar said that Peshawar-Karachi motorway would be completed by 2018.
He said that only two projects i.e. Thakot-Havilian and Multan-Sukkur were in approved with a cost of $4 billion in the early harvest CPEC projects, while three more projects were has been recently approved for financing.
Tarar further said that some projects including Gilgit-Chitral-Chakdara Road has been included in principle in the CPEC during the 6th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting held in Beijing (China). The project has been handed over to the Transport Working Group and would be approved in the coming JCC.
He further said that Karachi-Haiderabad and Lowari tunnel are likely to be completed by June 2017.
Accusations of Nepotism
The committee members raised serious concerns over awarding mega projects to a contractor who is a sitting MNA and also member of this Communication committee. PTI MNAs accused Amir Muqam Advisor to Prime Minister for his alleged involvement in delaying and lingering on road projects in the province.
Committee chairman directed for giving application and whosoever would be summoned and questioned. The committee also raised questions over some projects, carried for last 10-15 years. Chairman NHA claimed that currently there is no sick project with the Authority.
NHA Need Funds ?
Now Mian Sahab ready to Rona Dhona & Want to Loan by World Bank & Other’s.
Us K Bad
Party to Banti Hai !
Dawo Pesy fy Party da Samaan Liayay
:p
Very wrong story line, Rs.500 billion is for CPEC related projects and we should either accept CPEC or should stop bashing government on it. No credit to Government but we all are looking for the successful completion of the project.