CM Mahmood Khan says improved roads to attract investors, promote industrialisation

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Thursday said strengthening roads infrastructure was of great importance to facilitate investors and promote industrialisation in the province.

A handout said he was presiding a meeting to discuss the status of Swat Motorway Phase-II and Peshawar to Dera Ismail Khan Motorway. The chief minister was informed that the Swat Motorway Extension-01 (48kms) and Swat Motorway Extension-02 (36kms) Chakdara to Fatehpur had been included in PSDP projects whereas commercial and financial feasibility for the project completed in light of the appearance in provincial ADP for the year 2019-20.

He was told that complete feasibility, detailed design and commercial documents had also been shared with the National Highway Authority (NHA). A total of nine interchanges have been planned along the 80 kms fenced road, which include interchanges at Chakdara, Shamozai, Barikot, Mingora-Takhtaband, Kanju, Malam Jabba, Sher Palam, Matta Khwazakhela and Fatehpur.

The road would initially have as many as four lanes extendable up to 6 lanes with 13 main bridges. Regarding the Phase-I of the Swat Motorway, it was informed that the lining in Mardan-bound main tunnel had been completed and services installation was in progress.

The excavation in four auxiliary tunnels in the Phase-I of Swat Motorway have been completed whereas the lining is currently going on. The main alignment is expected to be opened for all types of traffic by the end of the current fiscal year. The meeting was informed that 340 km-long Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway would have six lanes with three tunnels and has also been included in PSDP projects.

The consultants for the same has been hired for conducting design and commercial-cum-financial feasibility. The final feasibility including commercial-cum-financial outcome based on public-private partnership would be presented before the respective forum by June 30. A total of 15 interchanges have been planned in the project which include Peshawar, Mattani-Badaber, Dara Adamkhel, Kohat, Lachi Krappa-Hangu, Ahmadi Banda-Karbogha Sharif, Karak, Soor Daag-Latamber, Bannu-Domail, Sara-e-Naurang, Miranshah, Lakki Marwat-Tajazai Ghaznikhel, Pezu-Tank, Yarik-Hakla and Dera Ismail Khan interchanges. The chief minister said that the provincial government was committed to promoting industrialisation and attract investors by providing them with a conducive environment for which strengthening of road infrastructure important.

The meeting was also briefed in detail on the 24 km Matta Fazal Banda road in Swat. The chief minister was informed that the team of Asian Development Bank is scheduled to visit next week for a final selection of priority roads under the Provincial Roads Infrastructure Project from the proposed candidate road list.

The chief minister directed PKHA to work out modalities for gas supply to ensure laying of pipelines before initiating of construction work on the project. Regarding the status of work on Police Lines Flyover in Swat, the chief minister was informed that Rs48o million had already been provided to the deputy commissioner.

He directed Swat deputy commissioner to expedite the completion of codal formalities so that construction work on the project may be initiated on a priority basis. The chief minister also directed the official to undertake measures for provision of land for Kanju Chowk widening as an alternative to the proposed flyover after consultations with local Jirga so as to lessen damage to existing infrastructure to the maximum extent.