ISLAMABAD - Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan said on Thursday that work on Lawari tunnel would re-start soon.
He said this while chairing a high level meeting in the ministry regarding the construction of Lowari Tunnel Project.
The minister was apprised in detail regarding the progress of the Lowari tunnel project. The construction work was stopped by the Korean Construction Company SAMBU due to disputes in payment by National Highway Authority (NHA).
The meeting was attended by Chairman NHA Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi, Chairman SAMBU, Senior officials of the Korean Contractor SAMBU, Consultant and other senior officers of NHA.
During meeting the disputes between the two parties discussed in detail and finally the same were resolved due to the intervention of the Minister for Communications.
The minister was informed that the contractor has already completed the whole of the entire tunnel which is 8.9 km and the concrete work is in process.
The Minister was also informed that 4 KM link roads at the both ends are also being completed.
The payment schedule between the parties was decided and on the direction of the Minister for Communications Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan, the contractor SAMBU agreed to re-start the construction work.
The Minister said the he will visit the site after Eid and will check the progress work.
The minister said that no compromise could be made to delay it, as it is an important national project having international qualities.
The minister said that the tunnel would connect the Central Asian Republics with Pakistan road network.
The Minister reiterated the vision of the present government to provide excellent road network, it would be enhanced up to central Asian States, China and Iran.
Dr. Arbab Alamgir ordered the NHA authorities to submit him the weekly progress report of Lowari Tunnel Project.