Rs30 billion earmarked for Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway

NA panel reviews funding gap, NHA project timelines

ISLAMABAD:

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications was informed on Friday that Rs30 billion had been allocated for the Sukkur-Hyderabad (M-6) motorway during the current financial year against a total demand of Rs70 billion.

While reviewing the latest progress on the motorway, the committee was informed that the project comprised five sections: Hyderabad-Tando Adam, Tando Adam-Nawabshah, Nawabshah-Naushahro Feroze, Naushahro Feroze-Ranipur and Ranipur-Sukkur.

The committee was further apprised that sections I and II would be executed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, sections IV and V through financing from the Islamic Development Bank and Section III through OPEC Fund financing.

The Ministry of Communications secretary also briefed the committee on the expected commencement schedule and the current progress of each section.

The committee also sought a comprehensive report on the status of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) schemes and constituted a sub-committee to examine project implementation, financial management and the toll plaza contracting process.

The committee was informed that out of the total PSDP outlay of Rs3.7 trillion, approximately Rs2.6 trillion comprised throw-forward schemes.

The committee was further informed that around Rs60 billion allocated to the NHA had been reduced in the federal budget owing to austerity measures and emerging security requirements.

It was stated that 71 ongoing projects fall under the category of throw-forward schemes. The committee sought a comprehensive status report on these schemes, including their province-wise bifurcation and expected completion timelines.

The committee also sought an update on the slow pace of work on the Keti Bandar Road project and requested the ministry to provide its expected completion timeline.

A member from Balochistan expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay in the Quetta–Zhob road project, stating that despite nearly two decades of work, the project continued to suffer from numerous diversions along its 320-kilometre length.

The member also emphasised that the 13-kilometre stretch from Fort Munro to Loralai, which carried substantial inter-provincial traffic, should be accorded the highest priority.

In response, the NHA chairman assured the committee that the section would be completed during the current year through maintenance funds, considering its strategic importance.

The member also raised concern over the delay in the execution of the Lasbela-Awaran Road project and pointed out that Rs5 billion allocated for the Kharan-Basima Road had remained unutilized for several years.

Regarding the New Baran Bridge project, the secretary informed the committee that a feasibility study had been completed and that the project had been taken up as a new scheme to be financed through AIIB funding.

Another member from Sindh expressed concern over the limited field presence of the NHA, stating that greater on-site supervision was essential for the timely execution of ongoing projects.

The committee also discussed the incomplete Shahdadkot Bypass project and directed that the General Manager, NHA Sukkur, must attend the next meeting of the Committee.

The committee further highlighted that the Rajanpur Toll Plaza continued to collect substantial toll revenue despite the road not being fully completed and contrary to the committee's earlier recommendations.

The committee also questioned the rationale behind awarding the operation of all toll plazas in Sindh to a single contractor.

A member of the committee advised the NHA to ensure that large corporate beneficiaries of road infrastructure projects contribute through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives towards the socio-economic development of the local communities, particularly in Balochistan.

The committee also reviewed the facilities being provided by the National Highways Authority to commuters on motorways and national highways.

While acknowledging the existing arrangements, the committee members observed that further improvements were required.

The committee sought details of new initiatives planned in this regard and reiterated its earlier directions that all lanes at toll plazas should remain operational at all times.

The NHA was further directed to take strict action against contractors found violating the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).