NHA under fire from WASA over Soan Bridge project

Senate committee reviews progress, directs completion of extension work

ISLAMABAD:

A Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Reforms directed the relevant ministry to oversee the extension of the Soan Bridge project . The meeting was chaired by Agha Shahzaib Durrani on Monday.

During the meeting, National Highway Authority (NHA) officials told the panel that the shifting of utility lines hindered the extension project. At this, the committee chairman expressed displeasure and lamented that a bridge could not be completed in over three years.

Soan Bridge connects the Grand Trunk (GT) Road with the Soan transport terminal used by thousands of people daily.

The committee got dismayed over the absence of the Planning Ministry's secretary at the meeting. The additional secretary apprised that the secretary was currently attending the meeting of Central Development Working Party (CDWP).

The panel chairman noted that the meeting of CDWP was convened by the planning commission deputy secretary. He added that the secretary must have attended the meeting as the minister was also absent.

Furthermore, seven NHA officials informed that the construction work on the extension project started in 2017 while the completion of the project is expected in December 2021. They added that the gas supply lines have been shifted while the process of installing power supply is underway.

NHA officials further informed that the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) had laid the pipeline without taking them on board and are now requesting funds for its relocation. At this, the WASA officials present alleged that the NHA has carried out encroachments on the bridge while the project has been delayed due to the shifting of utility lines.

The committee chairman directed the Planning Ministry to ensure the completion of the project in the given time.

Earlier this month, the Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Ministry secretary issued a supplementary grant in the name of WASA managing director for the rehabilitation of the bridge.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2021.