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Abdul Aleem Khan. PHOTO: ONLINE
ISLAMABAD:
Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday said the new N-15 highway from Mansehra, Naran, Jalkhad and Chilas will serve as an alternative route to the Karakoram Highway to the Chinese border and new avenues for tourism, trade and defense will be opened by upgrading the northern areas.
The minister chaired a high-level meeting of the National Highways Authority (NHA) in which important decisions were taken to improve connectivity in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and northern areas, according to a press release.
At the meeting, the construction plan for a new four-lane N-15 highway that will meet international standards to offer the best commercial corridor was reviewed in detail.
Khan said the N-15 project would be a unique and revolutionary initiative in terms of the needs of the current era and future demands.
He added that compared to the existing Karakoram Highway, this route would significantly reduce travel distance and time, while the new road would be so wide and of high quality that a speed limit of 60 to 80 kilometers per hour could easily be maintained.
He further stated that the road from Mansehra to Chilas would remain accessible throughout the year, which would reduce travel difficulties and also greatly improve winter tourism in the northern areas.
The minister directed that the project be designed in accordance with international standards in the larger national interest as it would have far-reaching positive effects on the communication network in the northern areas and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
