Cut in NHA allocated funds caused delay in projects completion: Chairman

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): Chairman National Highway Authority Altaf Ahmed Chaudhry said on Monday that cut in allocated funds for NHA has caused delay for completing the NHA projects. While presiding over NHA’s Executive Board Meeting here he said that Rs 37.4 billion were allocated in the current fiscal year for NHA,but till now only Rs. 9 billion have been released to NHA, while this amount should be 50 per cent of the total allocated budget. 

He said, the previous heavy rains and floods badly damaged the NHA network and NESPAK has calculated Rs. 27.4 billion as restoration cost. The NHA has spent Rs. 800 million from its budget for opening the damaged roads and bridges in the flood affected areas.

A detailed briefing was given on grand Lowari Tunnel project and a comparison of Rail and Road tunnel was presented before the board members. It was told that cost of the rail tunnel was Rs. 19 billion, while road tunnel is being completed at a cost of Rs. 18.1 billion which is comparatively low. 

It was further told that 43 per cent project has been completed till now. Original PC-1 of the Lowari Tunnel was of Rs. 8 billion, and the cause of increased cost is that dollar rate has been increased manifold. In 2003-04, dollar was equal to Rs. 58 while now dollar rate is Rs. 85.5. The other cause for increased cost is that length of access road tunnel has been increased from 0.9 Km to 1.9 Km. It was further informed that Rail Tunnel was converted into Road Tunnel with the view to promote trade links with Tajikistan. Moreover Road Tunnel will further facilitate trade activity on domestic and regional level.

The board decided to rationalize the cost and then forward it to Planning Commission for approval. NHA Executive Board also decided that six monthly progress report of NHA projects be presented before the board, and first report be submitted by end of December. PC-1 for improvement and widening of 141 Km of Chakdara-Chitral road was also presented.

The Board Meeting was also attended by senior officers from, Planning & Development Division Munir Ahmed Anjum Chief (T&C), Manzoor Ali Khan Senior Joint Secretary Ministry of Communications, Muhammad Kazim Idris Chief NTRC, Qazi Iftikhar Ahmed Vice President NESPAK and the Members of NHA