NHA to take over Garam Chashma, Shandur roads: Alamgir

Via The News - CHITRAL: Federal Minister for Communication Arbab Alamgir Khan on Wednesday said the government would hand over control of the Chitral-Shandur Road and Chitral-Garam Chashma Road to the National Highways Authority within a month period.

Addressing a press conference after completion of his visit to the district, the federal minister said the Lowari Tunnel would be opened for traffic in 2012 and Chitral-Shandur Road would be linked to Karakoram Highway to connect Chitral to China. The minister also said the feasibility study of Pakistan-Tajikistan Road was completed but the report could not be finalised due to volatile security situation in neighbouring Afghanistan. He said that President Asif Ali Zardari would visit Tajikistan to discuss the matter with Tajik authorities, adding that talks were in progress with the Afghan government.

Arbab said that 220 kilometres long Pakistan-Tajikistan Road would be the shortest route between the two countries and include a five-kilometre tunnel at Dorrah Pass on the Pak-Afghan border. He said that Prince Karim Aga Khan had been taking personal interest in the construction of the road and had also indicated to extend financial support in this regard.