CM orders release of funds for motorway

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has ordered release of Rs2 billion for the procurement of land for the Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway.

A meeting regarding the motorway project was held on Thursday at the Chief Minister's Secretariat with chief minister in the chair.

The meeting reviewed various options for implementing the flagship project, and a decision was taken to initiate the land acquisition process.

The Finance Department was directed to release an initial amount of Rs2 billion for this purpose. It was decided that land acquisition would begin simultaneously from both the Peshawar and DI Khan sides.

During a briefing, the chief minister was informed that the 365-kilometer-long motorway would feature six lanes, 19 interchanges, and two tunnels, connecting seven districts. It would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs348 billion.

The chief minister emphasised that the Peshawar-DI Khan Motorway was a flagship project of the provincial government, which would serve as a milestone in the economic development of the region.

He noted that the motorway would boost economic and commercial activities, provide high-quality transport facilities to the people, and create employment opportunities.

He directed the relevant authorities to work out the most feasible option for execution of the mega project.

The meeting was attended by Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance Muzammil Aslam, Additional Chief Secretary for Planning Ikramullah Khan, and senior officials of finance, planning, and communications departments.