Staff Reporter
Islamabad
In line with directive of Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan on reaching out to the public through holding Khuli Kachehris by organizations under the Federal Government, Chairman National Highway Authority Capt ® Sikander Qayyum held e-Kachehri at head office of the Authority through NHA official Facebook Page and answered to the questions placed by the people all over the country.
In his opening remarks Chairman National Highway Authority Capt ® Sikander Qayyum said, it is a matter of satisfaction that recent heavy rains have not caused any major damage to NHA infrastructure and bridges in the country. All Regional offices of NHA have been placed on alert and that pragmatic steps have been taken to tackle situation like land sliding and to keep roads cleared for traffic in hilly regions in particular. To this effect, he said, necessary machinery is mobilized at required locations at the earliest to ensure flow of traffic on NHA network.
He further said, Balkasar-Mianwali and Mainwali-Muzaffargarh road have been federalized. NHA has started their feasibility work. These projects will be undertaken on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis and it is expected that their work will be awarded in November next year. Continuing he said, tender of Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway has been published on international level. Presently, he said, fuel is available at four service areas on Multan-Sukkur Motorway. National Highway Authority is obtaining cooperation of Motorway Police to stop theft of national asset of fencing along motorways as this activity leads to accidents.
Giving answers to the questions during the E-Kachehri, Chairman National Highway Authority Capt ® Sikander Qayyum said, NHA is working on programme of undertaking road building schemes through its own resources. For this purpose, NHA is endeavoring to enhance its revenue. He said, NHA is undertaking major projects in Balochistan province that will help generate new employment opportunities for the locals. He said, encroachments falling on NHA’s Right of Way (ROW) will be removed. He also said, Sialkot-Kharian motorway will also be constructed on Public Private Partnership (PPP) Basis.
In order to facilitate the commuters, Chairman NHA directed to install sign boards at necessary places of Karachi-Lahore-Peshawar National Highway (N-5). Answering to a question he said, there is no illegal toll plaza on NHA network. He reiterated commitment to provide quality services to the travelers on motorways and national highways throughout the country.
