BYLINE
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to complete the Multan-Muzaffargarh-Mianwali highway within the next two months.
He also instructed the NHA to prepare a feasibility study for a 123-kilometre model project from Mansehra to Naran, saying the project could become a milestone not only for tourism but also for promoting trade with China.
Mansehra-Naran-Chilas Highway
A presentation was given to Abdul Aleem Khan on the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhand-Chilas highway. The minister directed the NHA to present the feasibility of the 123-kilometre Mansehra-Naran model project.
During the meeting, a decision was also taken to proceed with international tendering for the Guru Nanak Expressway on the minister’s instructions.
Guru Nanak Expressway
Abdul Aleem Khan said the Guru Nanak Expressway would hold religious significance for the Sikh community and that international investment would be sought for the project.
He said the Sikh communities in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States would be invited to invest in the Guru Nanak Expressway.
Road Safety Measures
The meeting also reviewed construction work on various sections of the GT Road from Rawalpindi to Peshawar.
The federal minister tasked the NHA with completing the Multan-Muzaffargarh-Mianwali highway within two months and directed the authority to ensure that safety features are implemented 100 percent.
He said there could be no greater priority on any highway than the safety of citizens.
Facilities on New Highways
The meeting decided to construct safety barriers as part of the expansion of the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad M-4 motorway.
Abdul Aleem Khan said new highways should have rest areas and washrooms on both sides. He also directed that newly completed projects should be made safe and aesthetically appealing in every respect.
Green Belts and Horticulture
The meeting also decided that green belts would be made a mandatory feature of new highways and motorways being constructed by the NHA.
The federal minister directed the NHA to make horticulture a formal part of its road infrastructure projects.
Abdul Aleem Khan further instructed the NHA to complete ongoing projects in the shortest possible time.
