Access to new Islamabad airport: PAC clears way for constructing new road

Directs govt to change design in order to save Rs20 billion.

ISLAMABAD:

The accountability arm of parliament has allowed the government to press on with its plan to build a new road for access to the new Islamabad airport, which is under construction, but directed it to modify the design aimed at saving Rs20 billion.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) took the decision on Thursday after hearing government agencies that staunchly opposed any attempt to abandon the planned road. The move is seen as a win-win situation for both the government and the watchdog.

On March 20, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had approved the plan to link the capital with the new airport by building a dedicated road, costing the kitty Rs30 billion. The cheaper option was to access the airport through the existing network that would have cost only Rs9 billion.

National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar did not agree with the idea of developing the existing road network, arguing that it would pass through housing societies and would not provide any room for further expansion, if the need arose.



The committee held numerous hearings and eventually agreed with the government’s plan. The premier has directed state agencies to make the airport operational by March next year – a deadline that appears challenging.

However, the committee directed the government to drop the plan of building an elevated road from Golra Point to Haji Camp that would lead to savings of Rs7.3 billion. Similarly, contrary to the government’s plan to acquire a 600-metre-wide right-of-way, PAC directed it to acquire only 100 metres, which would further reduce the cost.

Project consultant Nespak said a width of 100 metres would be sufficient to have a six-lane road.

“The plan to have a 600-metre-wide right-of-way is aimed at developing commercial areas on both sides of the road,” said Planning and Development Secretary Hasan Nawaz Tarar.

It was the idea of Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal to develop commercial areas on both sides of the road.

However, PAC was of the view that under the law the government could not acquire land for commercial activities. Any such deviation would force people to seek justice from courts that could delay the project, said Shah.

PAC gave the decision and now it would be up to the government whether to implement it or not, he said. “If the government violates the decision, it will be responsible for loss to the national exchequer.”

Shah stressed that being the leader of opposition, he did not want to create hurdles in the way of the prime minister and wanted to amicably sort out the issue. “Those who wanted to make money from land acquisition probably pushed the premier to approve the new access road.”

PAC also stopped the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) from expanding the parking lot at the Benazir International Airport. It termed the expansion wastage of money as the government was planning to start operating the new airport from March next year.

There were also some tense moments during the meeting when NHA officials and a representative of the Auditor General of Pakistan office exchanged harsh words.

Third runway

PAC also reconsidered its earlier decision that barred the government from constructing a third runway at the new airport. It agreed that the CAA could acquire land for the runway, provided it had sufficient resources to carry out work on the new airport and the rehabilitation of existing airports in major cities.

The cost of land acquisition for the runway is estimated at Rs8.7 billion but the runway will be built in 20 years.

Aviation Secretary Imran Gardezi underlined the pressing need of expanding Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar airports.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2014.

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