Hanif Abid
Islamabad
The Executive Board of the National Highway Authority gave formal approval for hiring of consultants for design of necessary infrastructure for Islamabad Metro Bus Project.
The decision came in a meeting held today at NHA head office with Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar in the chair.
The Chairman informed the meeting that the Metro Bus project envisaged extending the existing route from Peshawar Mor to New Islamabad International Airport (NIIP). He
said the project was initiated under the special directives of the Prime Minister to facilitate masses by providing a fast and easy link with the new air port and National
Highway Authority was entrusted the task to build the necessary infrastructure for it. He said the project length was 26.5 km and it was divided into two packages: Peshawar
Mor to G-13 and from G-13 to N-5 interchange. It will cost around Rs. 18 billion and construction of 4 interchanges and 14 stopovers (stations) were also part of the project,
he said.
The Executive Board also approved PC-1 for widening and up gradation of Chitral- Durrah Pass, Chitral – Bhamborat, Harnai – Sanjavi (Balochistan) and Kuchlak Bypass
(Balochistan) projects. Chitral – Durrah project would cost around Rs. 8.6 billion. 83 km road is divided into two packages and included construction of 13 major and 134 minor
bridges. Whereas, 48 km long Chitral – Bhamborat road would around Rs. 4.1 billion with construction of 8 major bridges as part of it. The Executive Board also
recommended these projects for approval of CDWP and ECNEC.
