ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications was informed on Friday that Rs 30 billion had been allocated for the Sukkur-Hyderabad Expressway (M-6) during the current financial year, against a total demand of Rs 70 billion.
While reviewing the latest developments on the expressway, the committee was informed that the project consisted of five stretches: Hyderabad-Tando Adam, Tando Adam-Nawabshah, Nawabshah-Naushahro Feroze, Naushahro Feroze-Ranipur and Ranipur-Sukkur.
Furthermore, the committee was informed that sections I and II would be executed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, sections IV and V through financing from the Islamic Development Bank and Section III through financing from the OPEC Fund.
The secretary of the Ministry of Communications also informed the committee about the expected start schedule and the current progress of each section.
The committee also sought a comprehensive report on the status of the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) schemes and constituted a sub-committee to examine the project implementation, financial management and procurement process of toll plazas.
The committee was informed that of the total PSDP disbursement of Rp3.7 trillion, approximately Rp2.6 trillion comprised advance plans.
The committee was further informed that around Rs 60 billion allocated to the NHA had been reduced in the federal budget due to austerity measures and new security needs.
It was stated that 71 ongoing projects fall into the category of early release plans. The committee requested a full report on the status of these plans, including their provincial bifurcation and expected completion timelines.
The committee also sought an update on the slow pace of work on the Keti Bandar Road project and asked the ministry to provide the expected completion schedule.
A member from Balochistan expressed serious concern over the long delay in the Quetta-Zhob highway project, stating that despite nearly two decades of work, the project continued to suffer from numerous detours along its 320 kilometer length.
The member also emphasized that top priority should be given to the 13 kilometer stretch from Fort Munro to Loralai, which carries significant inter-provincial traffic.
In response, the NHA chairman assured the committee that the section would be completed during the current year with maintenance funds, considering its strategic importance.
The member also expressed concern over the delay in implementation of the Lasbela-Awaran road project and pointed out that Rs 5,000 crore allocated for the Kharan-Basima road had remained unutilized for several years.
Regarding the New Baran Bridge project, the secretary informed the committee that a feasibility study had been completed and the project had been adopted as a new plan to be financed with AIIB funds.
Another member from Sindh expressed concern over the limited on-ground presence of the NHA and stated that greater on-site supervision was essential for timely implementation of ongoing projects.
The committee also discussed the incomplete Shahdadkot Bypass project and directed that the General Manager, NHA Sukkur, must attend the next meeting of the Committee.
The committee further highlighted that Rajanpur Toll Plaza continued to collect substantial toll revenue even though the road was not fully completed and against the committee’s earlier recommendations.
The committee also questioned the rationale behind awarding the operation of all toll plazas in Sindh to a single contractor.
A member of the committee advised the NHA to ensure that large corporate beneficiaries of road infrastructure projects contribute through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to the socio-economic development of local communities, particularly in Balochistan.
The committee also reviewed the facilities provided by the National Highway Authority to travelers on highways and national highways.
While acknowledging the existing provisions, committee members noted that further improvements were needed.
The committee sought details of new initiatives planned in this regard and reiterated its earlier instructions that all lanes at toll plazas must remain operational at all times.
Further, the NHA was directed to take strict action against contractors violating the prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs).
