ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications was informed on Friday that Rs30 billion had been allocated for the Sukkur-Hyderabad (M-6) Expressway during the current financial year against a total requirement of Rs70 billion.
While reviewing the latest progress on the expressway, the committee was informed that the project included five sections: Hyderabad-Tando Adam, Tando Adam-Nawabshah, Nawabshah-Naushahro Feroze, Naushahro Feroze-Ranipur and Ranipur-Sukkur.
The Committee was further informed that Sections I and II would be executed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, Sections IV and V through funding from the Islamic Development Bank and Section III through funding from the OPEC Fund.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Communications also briefed the committee on the expected commencement schedule and current progress for each section.
The committee also sought a comprehensive report on the status of Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) schemes and constituted a sub-committee to look into project implementation, financial management and the toll plaza contract process.
The committee was informed that out of the total PSDP outlay of Rs 3.7 trillion, approximately Rs 2.6 trillion comprised forward-looking schemes.
The committee was further informed that about Rs.60 billion allocated for NHA had been reduced in the federal budget due to austerity measures and new security requirements.
It was stated that 71 ongoing projects fall under the category of advance schemes. The committee sought a comprehensive status report on these schemes, including their province-wise bifurcation and expected completion dates.
The committee also sought an update on the slow pace of work on the Keti Bandar Road project and requested the ministry to provide its expected completion timeline.
A member from Balochistan expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay in the Quetta-Zhob road project, stating that despite nearly two decades of work, the project continued to suffer from numerous diversions along its 320 kilometer length.
The member also emphasized that the 13 kilometer stretch from Fort Munro to Loralai, which carried significant inter-provincial traffic, should be accorded top priority.
In response, the NHA chairman assured the committee that the section would be completed during the current year through maintenance funds, considering its strategic importance.
The member also expressed concern over the delay in execution of Lasbela-Awaran Road project and pointed out that Rs5 billion allocated for 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 carried out and that the project had been taken up as a new scheme to be financed through AIIB funds.
Another member from Sindh expressed concern over NHA’s limited field presence and stated that greater on-site monitoring was essential for timely execution of ongoing projects.
The committee also discussed the incomplete Shahdadkot Bypass project and directed that the day-to-day manager, NHA Sukkur, attend the next meeting of the committee.
The committee further highlighted that the Rajanpur Toll Plaza continued to collect substantial toll revenue despite the road not being fully completed and contrary to 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 companies receiving road infrastructure projects contribute through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to the socio-economic development of the local communities, especially in Balochistan.
The committee also reviewed the facilities provided by the National Highways Authority to commuters on expressways and national highways.
While acknowledging the existing arrangements, committee members noted that further improvements were needed.
The committee sought details of new planned initiatives in this regard and reiterated its earlier directions that all lanes at toll plazas should remain operational at all times.
The NHA was further asked to take strict action against contractors found violating the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
