NHA working on CPEC infrastructure

ISLAMABAD: National Highways Authority has been working on the government plan of up-gradation and expansion of nationalised road infrastructure in Balochistan as a priority to bring the province on a par with the developed areas of the country.

A NHA official on Thursday said that Rs3,020 million had been allocated and issued under the Public Sector Development Programme (PDSP) 2019-20 for land acquisition of Zhob-Kuchlak Road, part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

“For the construction of two-lane highway from Basima to Khuzdar, he said, Rs3,200 million had been allocated and also released.”

It is pertinent to note that the total cost of the project would be Rs19,188 million and Rs1500 million had been spent on the project till June 30 last year.

Similarly, he added, Rs2,339 million had been allocated under PSDP for widening and strengthening of about 32 kms of Rakhi-Gajj section of N-70 out of which Rs999 million had been issued so far. “Total cost of the project was Rs22,994 million Rs14,914 million had been spent till June 30,2019.”

The NHA official further said Rs3,500 million had been earmarked and released for construction of Yakmach-Kharan Road. “Total estimated cost of the project was Rs13,758 million, out of which Rs3,406 million had been spent by the end of the previous fiscal year.”

He also said that Rs1000 million had been set aside for dualisation and improvement of Yarik-Sagu-Zhob section of N-50 CPEC western alignment out of which Rs500 million have been released. “The total cost of the project was Rs76,488 million and Rs2,972 million had been utilised by June 30.”  

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2020.