The National Highway Authority (NHA) Executive Board on Monday vowed to expedite the process of opening up road communication network in devastated Jhelum and Neelum Valleys. It has been decided to mobilise the consultants in a day or two for initial survey of the earthquake-stricken areas.
The National Highway Authority Executive Board met with NHA Chairman, Major General Farrukh Javed in the chair to assess and review the repair and rehabilitation work of damaged road network in the earthquake-affected areas.
Senior officers from Planning & Development Division, Ministry of Communications, National Highway & Motorway Police, Nespak, NTRC and National Highway Authority participated in the meeting.
Major General Farrukh Javed informed the executive board that October 8 earthquake has done colossal damage to road network of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Hazara Division.
He said the National Highway Authority was providing all assistance to Army Engineers Corp to open the Jhelum and Neelum Valleys.
Farrukh also informed the board members that consultants would be mobilised in a day or two for initial survey of the affected areas.
He went on saying that the authority along with its contractors has dispatched 115 trucks and 30 single cabin vehicles loaded with relief goods to the victims of the earthquake, established hospitals in Muzaffarrabad and Balakot while 16 trucks of eatable items were handed over to the Pak Army.
In addition, Rs 24 million have been collected by NHA for the Presidential Relief Fund.
The NHA Chairman said Multan-Naran-Jhalkad and Kohala-Muzaffarabad roads and bridges need rehabilitation work.
Speaking on the occasion, Malik M Saeed, Additional Secretary P&D Division suggested that a comprehensive package be prepared for repair and rehabilitation of roads in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. He said seismic-safe and environmental-friendly roads be constructed to avert such catastrophic damages.
Inspector General NH&MP, Ahmed Naseem said motorways police was controlling traffic on Mansehra-Balakot road following the directives of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
The Executive Board appreciated the efforts made by the National Highway Authority for opening the road communication network and distributing the relief goods in the 44 villages of the earthquake-affected areas.
The Executive Board approved award of contracts for construction of 15 bridges on Karachi-Gharo-Thatta-Hyderabad section in two packages and that of widening and improvements of Kalat-Khad Koocha (60km) sub section of Kalat-Quetta-Chamman section.
Variation orders for revised scope of work of contractor NLC on Khajuri-Bewata section, realignment of Jacobabad-Dera Allahyar section, rehabilitation and improvement of DI Khan-Chashma Right Bank Canal section of Indus Highway, design review and construction supervision of Okara Bypass, extension of consultancy services for construction supervision of Ziarat More-Khanozai section were approved.
The meeting also approved revised PC-I for construction of Toll Plaza complex and weigh station at Kala Shah Kaku Link Road on Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2).
Variation orders for operation, maintenance and management of street lighting system on M-2, resurfacing of sections of Lahore Bypass, Service Road at Kala Shah Kaku, and extension of time for construction supervision of Islamabad-Muzaffarabad Road were also approved.
Besides this, the Executive Board also accorded approval for creation of Benevolent Fund Account for Welfare Package of NHA employees.
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