ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP): Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Wednesday directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to remove all illegal encroachments from its land and complete the Sambrial-Kharian Motorway (M-12) six months ahead of its scheduled 2028 completion.
Chairing a high-level NHA meeting, the minister stressed that not an inch of NHA land should remain under illegal occupation and directed the relevant authorities to adopt a coordinated strategy to achieve this objective.
Abdul Aleem Khan took notice of the deteriorating condition of National Highway N-5 and directed the authorities to complete patchwork on the Lahore–Gujranwala section of GT Road N-5 on an urgent basis and ensure its rehabilitation.
The minister reviewed the progress of ongoing highway and motorway projects across the country, including those being executed in the Punjab Region and other NHA Zones. He was briefed on the pace of work on the expansion of the Faisalabad–Pindi Bhattian Motorway (M-4), the 40-kilometre Rawalpindi–Hasan Abdal highway project, the 70-kilometre Rajanpur–Rohri road project and the 31-kilometre Nowshera–Peshawar road project.
The meeting was informed that 21 percent of the work on the Sambrial–Kharian Motorway (M-12) had been completed so far. Abdul Aleem Khan directed the authorities to accelerate construction work and take all necessary measures to complete the project 6 months ahead of its scheduled completion in 2028. He also inquired about outstanding issues concerning the construction of the Kharian–Rawalpindi Motorway and instructed the relevant authorities to resolve them at the earliest.
Abdul Aleem Khan stated that there should be no delays in the construction and rehabilitation of national highways and motorways, emphasizing that the public must be provided with safe, comfortable and high-quality travel facilities. He directed the NHA to expedite departmental processes for projects being executed under the Public-Private Partnership framework, stressing that all relevant institutions must ensure timely progress through effective coordination and a well-planned strategy.
The Minister also emphasized the proper maintenance of green belts, plantation and landscaping along motorways. He issued directives for the appointment of a dedicated General Manager to oversee these responsibilities, directly.
He further instructed the authorities to ensure the provision of modern and well-equipped rest areas at appropriate intervals along highways to facilitate motorists and provide essential amenities during their journeys.
During the meeting, Abdul Aleem Khan announced that he would visit Faisalabad later this week to inspect ongoing projects. He also stated that he would soon review the Taunsa Bridge project in Layyah, as well as the Multan–Mianwali and Lodhran–Multan expressways, to assess construction progress, quality standards, and the overall pace of work firsthand.
Federal Secretary for Communications, Chairman NHA, and other senior officials attended the meeting and briefed the Federal Minister on ongoing projects, construction progress, and related issues.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
