CAREC, Corridor uplift, Tranche-1 projects: NHA EB recommends revised Rs29.96bn PC-I

ISLAMABAD: The National Highways Authority (NHA) Executive Board recommended the revised PC-I for Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), Corridor Development Programme, Tranche-1 projects at a revised cost of Rs29.966 billion, which is 42.42 percent over and above the approved/rationalised PC-I cost (Rs21.041 billion) for approval of Central Development Working Party/Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC).

Official documents revealed that the Board also deliberated upon PC-I for KKH Phase-II (Thakot to Raikot) (Length: 241 km) China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The NHA Executive Board directed to resubmit “PC-I for KKH Phase-II (Thakot to Raikot) (Length: 241 km) CPEC” after verification/vetting from the Ministry of Transport, China.

The board further directed as follows: a. The technical and geometric design standards should be defined clearly, along with qualifiers. b. Consult NDMA for details of machinery/equipment required in case of any disaster and make it mandatory part at each location. c. Details of 172 No. of maintenance machinery/equipment must be attached with the PC-I. d. Take-up the matter formally with Wapda regarding construction of re-aligned road portions at Bhasha and Dasu Dams as per NHA’s standards. e. Acquire/transfer land and assets in the name of NHA where contractors shall build their camp offices during construction of projects. f. Necessary correction in the Traffic Projection Table. g. NHA formally makes correspondence with NHMP for their requirement/facilities on site.

The NHA Executive Board approved the revision in monetary limit for Tender Opening and Evaluation /Tender Acceptance Committee of RMA Works. (a) Regional GM (Maintenance) shall procure and approve technical/financial evaluations of bids and award of RMA Works up to Rs100 million. b. Member (Zone) shall procure and approve technical/financial evaluations of bids and award of RMA works above Rs100 million up to Rs500 million. c. Member (Zone) shall procure and approve technical/ financial evaluations of bids above Rs500 million and forward the case to Tender Acceptance Committee of NHA HQ for seeking approval. d. Technical Sanction of all Periodic/Rehabilitation maintenance schemes of AMP shall be accorded by the Zonal Member. e. Technical Sanction of maintenance schemes under global allocation shall be accorded by Member (Zone).

The Board also approved authorities for acceptance of bids pertaining to procurement of RMA works under the provision of Clause-10 of Chapter-3 Volume-I, Tendering Process i.e. prior approval of the next higher authority in the following cases: a. Where the lowest bid received exceeds by more than 25 percent of the approved cost of the works/services/goods. b. Where it is proposed to accept a tender other than the lowest. c. Where only two or less tenders have been received and it is intended to place order to the only tenderer or the lower of the two. d. Where it is intended to place order on the basis of negotiated rates arrived at after negotiations with the only one or more tenderers.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023