Towards development: ADP to provide Rs6.6b to improve road networks

Three new bridges to be constructed, 24 to be repaired under project

MUZAFFARABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide Rs6.60 billion for the improvement of road networks in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) under its soft loan programme.

This was stated by Secretary Planning and Development (P&D) Mansoor Qadir Dar while talking to journalists in Muzaffarabad on Saturday.

“The whole amount, Rs6.60 billion, will be spent on expanding over 173 kilometres of roads and a few bridges in different areas of AJK,” Dar said.

He added that the aim of the project was to provide better communication facilities to the people. The P&D secretary further said that three new bridges will be constructed and 24 existing bridges will be repaired using money provided by the ADB.

The money is being provided under ADB’s soft loan programme to expand road networks in the region.

“Within 15 days, people will be hired for this important project,” Dar said, adding, that the government aims to complete the project by November 2018.

In reply to a question, P&D secretary said that in addition to government agencies, ADB teams will also monitor construction and repair of roads and bridges under the project to ensure the project deadline is met. “All contracts will be given on merit and we assure the public and ADB that there would be no room for compromise on quality,” Dar stated.

The AJK Works and Communication department is one of the main administration divisions of the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir which receives billions of rupees as annual development budget to construct roads and bridges. However, performance since 1960s remains questionable.

Earlier in September, the ADB had said that it would provide Pakistan with $5.9 billion as part of their two-year country operation business plan (COBP). The plan covers prominent sectors including energy, transport, disaster management, water and urban services, agriculture and infrastructure financing in different parts of the country including AJK.

The ADB has carried out at least three multisector rehabilitation and improvement projects in AJK since 2004 at a cost of $57 million. The first such programme was in November 2004 followed by another in May 2005 before the earthquake struck. Another programme was conducted in December 2009.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2016.