Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: National Highway Authority’s (NHA) Executive Board meeting on Tuesday gave approval for award of contract for construction of Tarap-Pindigheb section of Hakla-DI Khan Motorway.

The 50 km four-lane package will cost Rs 21 billion. The meeting also discussed issues related to Yarak-Rehmanikhail section of the motorway. The meeting chaired by NHA Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar reviewed various on going projects of the NHA.The meeting also discussed various aspects of Takhtbai Flyover. About 606 metre long rail bridge will cost Rs 851 million and it would be completed by July this year.

The meeting was informed that over 86 pc work of Quetta Airport has been completed. The NHA chairman issued directives for completion of the remaining work of the 7.7 km road within one month.

The meeting was informed that 80 per cent work of Liyari Expressway has been completed.The meeting also reviewed matters related to Sultan Bahu bridge on river Chanab and expansion of Grand Trunk road from Thokar Niaz Beg to Hadiara drain at Lahore.

Speaking on the occasion,the chairman NHA said that efforts were being made to promote national construction industry and involve local contractors in road building projects.

He said for further improving the performance of the NHA, its restructuring and reorganization process has been started. He said that internal audit system of the NHA is being further strengthened. Tarar said that efforts were being made to make NHA an independent and profit-earning institution.

The meeting was attended among others by Inspector General National Highways and Motorway Police Shaukat Hayat, Member Infrastructure Planing and Development Division Malik Ahmed Khan, NHA member planning Raja Nausherwan and Member Finance Shoaib Ahmed Khan.