Dir Motorway enters land acquisition phase

The 30-kilometre highway will have four lanes and two tunnels

PESHAWAR:

Land acquisition for the construction of the 30-km Dir Motorway has been initiated and a committee has been constituted to overcome any impediments and ensure timely completion of the process.

Additionally, the initial survey for the entire length of the proposed motorway has also been completed.

This was revealed in a meeting held here, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair, to review progress on mega projects of the communication sector across the province.

The meeting was briefed in detail about progress made so far on Dir Motorway, Peshawar-DI Khan Motorway, Swat Motorway Phase II, Madyan Bypass, Bahrain Bypass and other mega projects in the road network.

The participants were informed that as per the initial tentative allotment, the overall length of Dir Motorway is 30 kilometer, having four lanes and also includes the construction of two tunnels.

Regarding the Peshawar–DI Khan Motorway, the meeting was informed that the overall length of the project is 365 kilometer, having 6 lanes and 19 interchanges on different spots.

It was also informed that two tunnels will also be constructed, one in Dara Adam Khel and the other in Karak district for the proposed motorway.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that his government is working on connecting all districts of the province through motorways, which will not only provide quality transportation facilities for the public but will also provide an environment conducive to business activities and help make the province a transit hub for trade activities.

On the occasion, the chief minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure completion of all ongoing projects within the stipulated timelines and made it clear that there would be no compromise on delay in completion of public welfare schemes.

He clarified that only those projects will be inaugurated which are complete on ground in all respects.

It may be mentioned here that Swat Motorway Phase II and Dir Motorway will be completed on the basis of Public Private Partnership basis.

These projects will greatly enhance the tourism potential of the entire region as travel time will be greatly decreased to all the famous picnic spots of the province located in Malakanad Division.

Currently traveling to DI Khan also takes at least eight hours due to a single lane road which is used for two-way traffic which results in the waste of precious time.

Principal Secretary to CM Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Planning and Development Shah Mehmood, Secretary Communications & works and high-ups of Pakhtunkhwa Highways Authority attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2022.