K-P CM wants Swat Motorway completed by December

Mahmood inaugurates south tunnel and inspects construction work

PESHAWAR: Even as the PTI berated similar projects undertaken by the rival PML-N, the former’s provincial chief minister on Monday inaugurated a section of the Swat Motorway at Zulam Kot near Chakdara, hoping that the project will bring about a revolution in the entire division.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Tuesday cut the ceremonial tape on the south tunnel of the Swat Motorway at Zulam Kot near Chakdara during a day-long visit to his native area.

Work on the 80-kilometre-long, Rs34 billion project had been started during the tenure of the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government with the project, along with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Peshawar, its two flagship projects.



Work on a 50 kilometre-stretch of the road in Katlang area of Mardan had been completed and it is expected that by December, the road will be built up to Chakdara and opened for traffic.

Addressing at the inaugural ceremony of the tunnel, Mahmood hoped that the motorway will bring about a revolution in Malakand division, primarily in helping enhance tourism and trade in the area.

"This project will make the entire Malakand division the centre of all tourism-related activities and would open up new vistas of development," he said.

Moreover, the project’s completion would help open up new vistas of development in the area.

During his visit, the K-P chief minister inspected the roads from Karnal Sher Khan Interchange all the way up to Bakhshali road and had an aerial view from Bakhshali to Zulam Kot.

The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) — who had been awarded the contract of the project —briefed the chief minister on the progress so far on the motorway project.

Mahmood directed to complete the project within the stipulated time with a focus on the quality of work, adding that by December, the motorway should be ready to accept all kinds of traffic.

The 80-kilometres-long project will have seven interchanges from Karnal Sher Khan Interchange to Chakdara. This would also develop and upgrade services in the hitherto dozens of backward villages in the area.

Land payments

During his visit, Mahmood assured locals, especially those who had given up their land for the construction of the project that they will soon be paid for their property.

The chief minister explained that the project is meant for public welfare, public development and public prosperity which would usher in a new era of development of the entire Malakand.



He added that his government will never compromise on the development and prosperity of the people. He also planted a Deodar sapling and directed the relevant department to launch tree plantation drive on both sides of the motorway.

The chief minister further directed to start construction of rest spots, mosques and markets on the allocated points along the motorway.

Referring to the BRT, Mahmood acknowledged that there were some issues which had partially delayed the mass transit project, however now his government has started monitoring the quality of work assured accelerated construction of the project.

“It is our endeavour to complete the Peshawar BRT which is actually a project for the beautification of the entire provincial capital,” Mahmood said.

Communication and Works Minister Akbar Ayub, K-P Spokesperson Shaukat Yousafzai, FWO Director General Major-General Inam Haider Malik, Malakand Division Commissioner Zaheerul Islam and other civil and military officers were present.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2018.