AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan announced that the 52-kilometer Thehri-Ranipur section on National Highway (N-5) will be maintained at a cost of Rs. 498 million by December 2024. The road section, which runs through the Sindh province, is part of the National Highway Authority’s (NHA) ongoing efforts to improve road infrastructure.
According to Press Information Department, Abdul Aleem Khan explained that the old alignment of National Highway (N-5) between Thehri and Ranipur passes through Khairpur, Kot Diji, and Kumb. This road segment was realigned to bypass Khairpur city and reduce the distance between Thehri and Ranipur. The new alignment has been regularly maintained, while the old alignment is also maintained through routine maintenance contracts.
In response to a call attention notice in the National Assembly by MNAs Ms. Nafisa Shah, Ms. Naz Baloch, and Ms. Mahtab Akbar Rashdi regarding repair and maintenance of the flood-affected road between Thehri and Ranipur, Abdul Aleem Khan stated that the NHA approved two maintenance schemes for functional overlay on the 52-kilometer length. The maintenance plan for 2023-24 allocates Rs. 498 million for these works.
The Federal Minister noted that the maintenance schemes are currently in the procurement stage, with financial bids opened on April 24, 2024. Work is expected to commence once the procurement process and contractual formalities are completed in 2-3 weeks. The repair and maintenance are projected to be completed by December 2024.
Abdul Aleem Khan also highlighted that the Ministry of Communications and National Highway Authority are prioritizing the early realization of the Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway and a tunnel at Babusar Top on Rawalpindi-Gilgit Road in the north. He stated that the tunnel will facilitate travel through the challenging mountainous terrain. The Federal Minister assured that he will personally monitor the pace of work on road construction projects across the country.