PM performs groundbreaking of Rs12.9 billion mega projects today

Work to start on Kalash Valley and Chitral, Garam Cahshma roads projects

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will lay the foundation stone for the construction of two mega projects in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa worth Rs12.9 billion today (Saturday).

While talking to The Express Tribune, National Highway Authority (NHA) spokesperson Kashif Zaman explained that the projects include the Rs4.6 billion Kalash Valley roads project and the Chitral-Garam Chashma-Dorah Pass road worth Rs8.31 billion.



The Chitral-Dorah Pass Road is around 82km long, he said adding that it is divided into two packages with a completion time period of 24 months. Similarly, the 48km long Kalash Valley roads are also divided into two packages and will be completed in two years, he added.

Two years back, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had vowed on a visit to the area that new roads would be built to improve and strengthen the communication sector in K-P, but it eventually took two years to plan the project, chalk out its feasibility report and PC-1.

“It is expected that these projects will help in elevating economic, commercial and tourist activities in addition to the development of the area,” said the NHA spokesperson.

Furthermore, it will also provide fast smooth and safe travelling to the northern K-P as currently people avoid travelling to these areas due to the dangerous route, he added.



He said the projects envisage upgradation and widening of the existing roads with safety measures against erosion and landslides, as well as construction and rehabilitation of existing structures including bridges and culverts.

The terrain is hilly and mountainous moreover, several major streams cross the roads, Zaman said, “Therefore these projects are expected to reduce the number of accidents and sharp curves which are extremely dangerous and had caused fatal accidents in the past.”

He added that a safe route will provide uninterrupted flow of traffic and help to reduce travel time and vehicle operating costs.