The National Highway Authority (NHA) has started rehabilitation work on the damaged part of Makran Coastal Highway at an estimated cost of Rs 800 million, badly affected by the recent rains. The authority will also construct Sher Shah Bridge over River Chenab at a cost of Rs 845.42 million to link Multan with Muzzafargarh. Minister of State for Communication Shahid Jamil Qureshi and NHA Chairman Major General Farrukh Javed made this announcement, while addressing a joint press conference here at the NHA office after contract signing ceremony of the construction of Sher Shah Bridge.
Flood and torrential rains have damaged 40km portion of the Makran Coastal Highway, including bridges, roads and roadside shoulders, which was inaugurated on December 16, 2004 and was a Rs 11 billion project.
Shahid Jamil said that the government has started rehabilitation work on priority basis and the traffic would be restored in seven months.
He said that the people of southern Punjab have been victimised by the past political governments, as they were deprived of basic facilities, including communication facilities.
However, he said that President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have initiated various mega projects in the area, including construction of Sher Shah Bridge over River Chenab.
He said that more than Rs 845 million would be spent on its construction, which would link Multan to Muzafargarh.
He said that the communication system in southern Punjab is need of the hour. Shahid Jamil hoped that the construction of Sher Shah Bridge would provide better access to Afghanistan, Iran and other Central Asian states.
He also announced that the government would also construct an Export Processing Zone in June for the people of this area.
Commenting on the development projects in Balochistan, he said that the government has initiated mega development projects in the province, including Gwadar Port project.
However, he said that a few elements in the area are not in favour of development in Balochistan. He made it clear that the government would never be blackmailed and would continue its efforts for the prosperity of the people.
He said that another bridge would be constructed at Ghazi Ghat with the Japanese government assistance.
NHA Chairman Major General Farrukh Javed said that construction work of Makran Coastal Highway would be completed in the current month, however, it would be fully opened for public traffic in seven months.
Nearly Rs 800 million will be required for the repair of damage caused to the portions of Makran Coastal Highway due to extraordinary rains, he added.
Javed was pleased that heavy rains have not much damaged the communication system in Punjab and Sindh.
He also said that traffic on Mansehra-Naran-Jhalkund section would be restored in next five days.
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