Switching gears: New contractor takes reins of Mufti Mahmood flyover

While construction has begun, the bridge connecting Peshawar Central Jail and Bacha Khan Chowk remains incomplete

PESHAWAR:

The government has handed a fresh contract worth Rs53.5 million to Messrs Karkun Construction Company via an open tender for the stalled Mufti Mahmood flyover, now scheduled to be completed by February 2015.

While construction has already begun, the bridge connecting Peshawar Central Jail and Bacha Khan Chowk remains far from complete. The project was initiated by Messrs Skyways Construction Company in 2011 with an estimated cost of Rs1.8 billion.

However, with several government-set deadlines passing by, the project still remains in the pipeline.

Talking to The Express Tribune, personal secretary to the minister for local government Muhammad Iqbal said Messrs Skyways’ tender has been suspended over their failure to meet deadlines.

K-P government issued another tender on October 23 and awarded a new contract to Messrs Karkun.

Iqbal added funds will be issued to the new contractor in view of its performance.

“Messrs Karkun will complete the remaining work within four months,” claimed Iqbal, adding that the project will solve traffic problems substantially.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2014.