Taking flight: CAA officials approve land for airport in Hazara
New construction part of infrastructure development.
MANSEHRA:
Officials of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have approved a location for Mansehra Airport in Sawan Maira, official sources said on Wednesday.
Those familiar with the matter said the construction of an airport in Mansehra, the Hazara Motorway project to Islamabad and Muzaffarabad railway track are projects that are part of the infrastructural development for the Pak-China economic corridor. These projects were approved by the PML-N government.
The foundation laying ceremony of Phase-I of the Bhurhan to Havelian section of the Hazara Motorway is scheduled for November 29.
Sources added CAA officials had earlier considered a 1,600-kanal piece of land for Mansehra Airport in the Lassan Nawab village, but it was later reportedly declared inadequate. However, an 8,000-kanal piece of land was identified in Sawan Maira village and approved by CAA officials, who visited the site on Tuesday.
The final approval of the land would be given after further due diligence, said officials. They added the revenue department was asked to prepare the paperwork to complete the legal requirements for land acquisition.
The proposed site for the new airport lies within NA-21, Mansehra, the home constituency of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law, Capt Retired Muhammad Safdar.
When approached for comments, Mansehra Additional Assistant Commissioner Nadeem Tanoli confirmed the site was verbally agreed upon and the visiting team asked district authorities to expedite the process. The PM, during his election campaign, promised the people of Hazara an airport, motorway and a railway track.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2014.
Officials of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have approved a location for Mansehra Airport in Sawan Maira, official sources said on Wednesday.
Those familiar with the matter said the construction of an airport in Mansehra, the Hazara Motorway project to Islamabad and Muzaffarabad railway track are projects that are part of the infrastructural development for the Pak-China economic corridor. These projects were approved by the PML-N government.
The foundation laying ceremony of Phase-I of the Bhurhan to Havelian section of the Hazara Motorway is scheduled for November 29.
Sources added CAA officials had earlier considered a 1,600-kanal piece of land for Mansehra Airport in the Lassan Nawab village, but it was later reportedly declared inadequate. However, an 8,000-kanal piece of land was identified in Sawan Maira village and approved by CAA officials, who visited the site on Tuesday.
The final approval of the land would be given after further due diligence, said officials. They added the revenue department was asked to prepare the paperwork to complete the legal requirements for land acquisition.
The proposed site for the new airport lies within NA-21, Mansehra, the home constituency of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law, Capt Retired Muhammad Safdar.
When approached for comments, Mansehra Additional Assistant Commissioner Nadeem Tanoli confirmed the site was verbally agreed upon and the visiting team asked district authorities to expedite the process. The PM, during his election campaign, promised the people of Hazara an airport, motorway and a railway track.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2014.