79km diversion delayed Mansehra–Thakot section

Hazara commissioner says they will plug unofficial, illegal entry points

ABBOTTABAD: The novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the construction of a diversionary route for safer travel has delayed construction on the Mansehra–Thakot section of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, work is now progressing and officials expect to complete it soon.

This was disclosed by the Hazara Division Commissioner Syed Zaheerul Islam on Monday while chairing a high-level meeting at the Commissioner House to review the progress made on on the CPEC route.

Islam said that only five per cent of civil works on the route remains, including the installation of safety fences.

On reports of delays in the completion of the project, Islam explained that first, the Chinese engineers and other workers - who had gone home to celebrate the Chinese new year in their homeland, could not return in time due to the suspension of flights - first in China and then in Pakistan - in the wake of lockdown to prevent Covid-19 from spreading.

CPEC and the wages of mismanagement

Further, CPEC Officials apprised that from Mansehra onwards, the relevant authorities had to divert 79 kilometres of road from the grade-2 highway to the expressway to ensure a safe journey for traffic on the route. They explained that this was necessitated after several traffic accidents were reported on this section of the route.

Islam, however, expressed his satisfaction over the pace of the project, noting that they had completed 95 per cent of work on the route. Some civil work, including the installation of fences and other safety measures, is now in full swing and the entire project is expected to be completed soon.

The commissioner further said that before the route is opened to the public, all illegal and unsafe entry points established by locals will be plugged.

For this purpose, he said that they will approach the local communities and seek their cooperation.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2020.