The government has failed to complete Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-I) causing overrun of billions of rupees and Ministry of Communications has approached Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz seeking Rs 3 billion more to expedite the construction work.
The mega project was launched in 1993 by the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with an estimated cost of Rs 16 billion but the work was suspended soon after coming into power of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
The project again came to limelight with the return of Nawaz Sharif however, the it remained suspended as contract of a Turkish firm was cancelled due to slow pace of work.
The government not only faced criticism on ongoing project started 14 years ago but the delay has also caused overrun of a handsome amount.
"It is true that there is shortage of funds and we have sought the assistance of Prime Minister but I hope that the project would be completed this year," Communications Minister Shamim Siddiqui told Business Recorder on Monday.
According to the Public Sector Development Programme 2006-07, the estimated cost of the M-I project is Rs 26. 862 billion whereas an expenditure of Rs 26.252 billion was made till last June. Moreover, an amount of Rs 1.6 billion was allocated for the project in 2006-07 budget.
When asked, the Minister admitted that around 150-km Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway had to be completed by January 2007. However, he dispelled the impression that the project was going to take at least two years for completion. "We have taken it seriously and asked National Highway Authority to step up their efforts as well," he added. He hoped that the project would be completed this year once the funding problem is addressed.
Replying to a question, the Minister said they have approached Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz seeking Rs 3 billion required for the completion of the project. "We have requested the Prime Minister that Rs 3 billion were needed immediately to put the project on fast track and we are very optimistic in this regard," he added.
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