Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Tuesday directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to prepare a joint report within 15 days for improving the Motorway database and addressing pending issues, particularly the up-gradation of rest areas so that sustainable solutions to the problems being faced on Motorways can be ensured.
He expressed these views while talking to senior officers during his visit to the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2). Federal Minister carried out a detailed inspection of various rest areas including Sukhiki, Sial, Bhera and reviewed the facilities available on M-2 Lahore Islamabad Motorway including tuck shops, mosques, washrooms, and overall infrastructure, said a press release.
Taking notice of deterioration and poor conditions, Abdul Aleem Khan issued instructions to the concerned authorities for immediate and effective remedial measures. He emphasized that data should be collected based on daily traffic volume to ensure that necessary actions are taken in line with actual requirements. He made it clear that the expansion, renovation, and modernization of rest areas on M-2 in accordance with contemporary standards is essential.
Aleem Khan stressed that the layout of shops at Motorway rest areas should be uniform and that the availability of food items at officially notified prices must be ensured. He also directed the NHA to formulate a regular and sustainable plan specifically for Motorway rest areas.
During his visit, the minister sought briefings from NHA & FWO officers and the Motorway Police on various administrative and service-related matters. At different locations, citizens and travelers met and interacted with Abdul Aleem Khan, expressing gratitude for the steps taken to improve travel facilities. At the Bhera Rest Area, an overseas Pakistani also called on Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan and stated that transport infrastructure in Pakistan is gradually improving. Citizens appreciated the recent improvements in the communications sector and thanked the Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan for his initiatives.