11:17 PM
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ISLAMABAD (Daily Times): The Senate sub-committee on Communication Saturday directed National Highway Authority (NHA) to convene its Board of Directors (BoDs) within 10 days to consider the Khushalgarh Bridge project.
Secretary Communication Anwar Ahmad Khan informed the Senate committee a committee was constituted to dig out any irregularities if done in its bidding process. He informed the committee about the anticipatory approval of the bridge and said now it was up to the BoDs of the NHA to approve it. The committee was informed Khushalgarh bridge has special importance for its adjoining areas and villages as it is the most direct and only national highway serving to connect Kohat, its surrounding villages especially in its south, with Punjab and Islamabad.
Convener Senator Zahid Khan directed the NHA not to delay its BoD meeting for consideration of the Khushalgarh Bridge project. But Chairman NHA Muhammad Junaid said the organisation would convene its but the members usually not attend it. The committee directed him to ensure that the NHA BoD members should attend its meeting. The committee was informed Rs 1 billion was needed for Hasanabad to Mansehra road project immediately otherwise the Asian Development Bank (ADB) would take away its loan facility for the project.
Currently, Rs 500 million was required urgently to pay for land acquisition of the Hansabdal-Mansehra road so that the donor might extend its loan facility.
Additional Secretary Ministry of Finance assured the committee that Rs 500 million would be released in first week of April. The Rs 500 million was due to release in March 2011 but due to commitment with donor, the said amount would be released early next month.
Senator Muhammad Ismail Buledi informed the committee that establishment of Gwadar Port would be meaningless if the government failed to provide proper funds for construction of roads leading to the port. All 22 Balochistan senators have decided to boycott the Senate Session if funds are not released to Balochistan under Public Sector Development Program. The NHA chairman informed the committee the government has decided the funds for Quetta-Qilat-Chaman could not be stopped.
About Lawari Tunnel Project, the committee was informed consultants were not paid their salaries for the last seven months due to non-availability of funds. According to the agreement, the foreign consultants could stop work beyond 42 days delay payment. Currently, the consultants have suspended partial work not completely. The committee directed NHA to ensure timely payment to Lawari Tunnel project, so that the scheme might be completed soon.
Over another agenda item, tendering position of Chakdara Bridge, the committee was informed complete enquiry has been carried out and nothing illegality was found. Award of the Bridge would be announced soon. Convener assured the NHA funds would be arranged for this project.
Posted in: Chitral,Lawari Tunnel
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