Escalating costs, delays hinder road projects

Faisalabad-Chiniot-Sargodha Road dualisation jumps to Rs17bn

JARANWALA:

The proposed dualisation project of the Faisalabad-Chiniot-Sargodha road, from Kamalpur interchange to Phattay Stop in Tehsil Lalian, has become a victim of mismanaged planning, funding shortages, and official apathy.

Initially estimated at Rs3 billion in 2015, the project's cost has now escalated to Rs17 billion, yet it remains unapproved.

Sources said the road was initially carpeted in 2008 with financial assistance from China.

Due to increasing traffic and numerous public complaints about its deterioration in 2014, the Punjab government prepared a PC-1 to dualise the road, estimating a cost of Rs3 billion for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

The project was to be completed in PPP mode (public-private partnership) on a BOT basis (Build, Operate, Transfer) by the contractor.

NESPAK conducted a comprehensive survey to determine traffic volume, land acquisition needs, estimate preparation, encroachments, and traffic counts.

In 2018, under political pressure, the project was formally launched from district Chiniot towards Faisalabad, with the tender awarded to NLC.

However, the Punjab government failed to release the allocated funds, leading to the project's abandonment and the cancellation of the tender.

In 2019-20, the project was revived under the PPP mode, with Rs800 million released for land acquisition on both sides of the road from Chak 3 JB Bypass to district Chiniot (24km).

Land was acquired in 2020, but further funds were not released, causing the project to be shelved again due to lack of funds.

In the current financial year 2023-24, Moulana Ilyas Chinioti, a three-time MPA from Chiniot, raised the issue in the provincial assembly and threatened to resign if the project was not restarted.

Consequently, the Highway Department divided the project into two phases: Kamalpur interchange to district Chiniot (Phase-1, costing Rs7 billion) and Chiniot to Phattay Stop Lalian Tehsil (Phase-2, estimated at Rs9.5 billion).

This road is one of the busiest routes in Punjab, handling a significant volume of heavy load dumpers and trucks carrying stone and construction materials.

The current road is 24 feet wide, in poor condition, and insufficient for the traffic volume, leading to numerous fatal accidents and severe losses of lives and property.

Abdullah Kakar, Executive Engineer of the Highway Department, emphasised the urgent need for the road's dualisation to accommodate heavy traffic and ensure commuter safety.

He stated that improving the road will not only facilitate the headquarters of Sargodha, Chiniot, and Faisalabad districts but also uplift the socio-economic conditions of the area by serving several towns, including Kamalpur, Chak 2 JB, 3 JB, 4 JB, Ramdiwali/Arfa Karim Nagar, FDA City, Loona Adda, Fast University, Jhoke Mor, Madina Sugar Mills, Rabwa, and Lalian and its surrounding localities.

The PC-1/cost estimate of the project has been submitted to the Punjab government for approval, with plans to tender it under the PPP mode.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2024.