Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Thursday directed the National Highway Authority to prepare a feasibility for developing the 123-kilometre long Mansehra-Naran highway as a model project.
A special meeting of the National Highway Authority, chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, reviewed the construction of important highways as well as key affairs of the Authority, said a press release.
The minister said that the proposed three-lane Motorway Project could prove to be a milestone not only in promoting tourism but also in strengthening trade and connectivity with China.
A detailed presentation was given to Federal Minister on various aspects and progress of the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhand-Chilas highway project.
He directed the NHA Authorities to thoroughly examine all aspects of the project and prepare a comprehensive and viable report so that the important highway could be developed in accordance with modern requirements.
The Minister said it had also been decided to take the Guru Nanak Expressway Project to the international tendering stage.
Abdul Aleem Khan said that the Guru Nanak Expressway would be a project of special religious, historical and spiritual significance for the Sikh Community; therefore, international standards would be ensured in its construction. He said international investment would be sought for the Guru Nanak Expressway and the Sikh community residing in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States would be invited to invest in the project. Federal Minister said that the project would be aligned with modern infrastructure, international standards and attractive investment opportunities.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing construction and development work on various sections of the GT Road from Rawalpindi to Peshawar. The misiter tasked NHA officials with completing the construction work on the Multan-Muzaffargarh-Mianwali highway within the next two months.
Abdul Aleem Khan directed the NHA to complete ongoing projects in the shortest possible time and ensure that all projects meet their stipulated deadlines. He made it clear that nothing could take precedence over the safety of citizens on the roads and highways.
He directed NHA officials to ensure 100 percent safety features on all new and under-construction highways, stressing that there would be no compromise whatsoever on road safety.
A decision was also taken to construct safety barriers as part of the expansion project of the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad Motorway (M-4). The minister further directed that rest areas and washrooms be constructed on both sides of new highways to facilitate travellers. He said newly completed projects should be made safe, aesthetically appealing and public-friendly in every respect.
He also directed that green belts be made a mandatory component of the construction of new highways and motorways.
He instructed NHA officials to incorporate horticulture into highway development plans so that modern infrastructure is complemented by environmentally friendly and aesthetically attractive roads. Abdul Aleem Khan said the objective of constructing and developing national highways and motorways was not merely to improve travel facilities but also to provide safe, attractive and sustainable infrastructure.
He directed the NHA to further accelerate the pace of all ongoing projects and ensure their completion within the stipulated timelines. Federal Secretary Communications, Chairman NHA and senior NHA officials from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab also briefed the meeting on various important matters.
