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Islamabad: 213th NHA’s Executive Board Meeting was held under Chairmanship of Chairman NHA Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi here today in which various aspects of countrywide national highway projects were reviewed.
Abdul Khalid Additional Secretary Finance Division, Abdul Basit Khan Senior Joint Secretary Ministry of Communications, Wajid Ali Khan IG NH and MP, Qazi Iftikhar Ahmed Vice President NESPAK, Tahir Sharif Chief NTRC, Munier Ahmed Anjum Chief (T and C) Planning Commission, Sabir Hassan Member (Planning)NHA, Shoaib Ahmed Khan Member(Finance) NHA and Ch.Khalid Naseem Secretary NHA participated in the meeting.
In his opening remarks, Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi threw light on efforts being made by NHA for undertaking NHA projects on BOT basis with the view to reduce financial load on national exchequer. Referring to his recent visit to Qatar he said “We apprised the investors of Qatar about the investment opportunities in road sector of Pakistan, and they also expressed interest in road building schemes of Pakistan.
Matters relating to return of foreign investors money were also brought under discussion. Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi hoped that the investors of Qatar will invest in NHA projects. He informed the Board Members that due to financial discipline NHA is now able to clear the liabilities of the Contractors.
Extra ordinary measures are being adopted to ensure transparency in process of tendering and award of contracts of NHA projects. Strict disciplinary actions have also been taken against officials involved in corruption. He said NHA is devising mechanism for continuous monitoring of the performance of Contractors and Consultants.
The Executive Board discussed various aspects of gigantic Lowari Tunnel Project on which 45% work has been completed. The project consists of two tunnels. Length of 1st Tunnel is 8510 Meter and other is 1900 Meter long. Road inside the first tunnel has been improved and seepage is also controlled, while the other tunnel is complete. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani and Minister for Communications are taking personal interest in Lowari Tunnel Project.
The meeting also approved re-packaging of 50.5 km Fatehpur-Kalam road and condo nation of losses of 5 x ongoing maintenance works due to flood damage-2010. The meeting discussed operational and management affairs of Dera Ismail Khan Toll Plaza and desired to adopt measures to raise toll revenue. Affairs concerning construction supervision for 4-lane underpass at Wah Gate No.1, Taxila and of Satra Mile-Lower Topa section were also reviewed.
The Board members also discussed a proposal regarding construction of two main Service Areas at River Indus on Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) on BOT basis. The proposed Service Areas may include Pakistani Restaurant, Food Courts, Children Park, Boating, Filling Station, Tyre Shop, Medical Clinic and Parking Area.
For more information, contact:
National Highway Authority
Muhammad Ali Gardezi
Chairman
NHA HQ, 27, Mauve Area, G-9/1,
Islamabad.
Tel: +9260417
Fax: +9260404
chairman@nha.gov.pk