By Ali Imran
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz has said that the roads play vital role in socio economic development of the country that is why the incumbent government is attaching great importance to the construction of National Highways and Motorways in the country. He was speaking during his inspection tour to PindiGheb-Jand-Kohat Highway project on Sunday. Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Mr. Shehryar Khan Afridi was also present on this occasion. National Highway Authority General Manager Mr. Murshid Amin Khattak gave a detailed briefing on construction activity of the project.
Sen. Shibli Faraz stressed upon the timely and quality construction of PindiGheb-Jand-Kohat Highway. He said, completion of under construction PindiGheb-Jand-Kohat Highway will link up this whole region with NHA motorway network through Kharapa Interchange of CPEC at PindiGheb. He said, the project will generate new chances of economic development and people of the area will receive new opportunities of employment. The highway will also provide high speed transportation to the people, he added. Giving briefing NHA General Manager Mr. Murshid Amin Khattak said, PindiGheb-Jand-Kohat Highway project is being completed in three packages. 34.5 km PindiGheb-Khushalgarh Package-I is being completed at contract cost of Rs. 5076 Million. This Package will be completed by April next year. He said, the length of Package-II is 7.5KM while Package-III from Khushalgarh to Kohat is 38 KM long and this Package is being completed at contract cost of Rs. 5810 Million. Murshid Khattak said, this Package will be completed by September 2021. 11 Bridges/Flyovers and 90 Box Culverts are being built in Packages I & III. Upon completion the speed limit on this highway will be 80-100 KM per hour. He informed that the Government has released funds for this project. Once completed, travelling time between Islamabad and Kohat will be reduced from 3.5 Hours to 2 Hours, he concluded.
