National Assembly Standing Committee on Communication was informed that total receivables of National Highway Authority (NHA) are Rs 15 billion, out of which Rs 9.96 billion are outstanding against Frontier Works Organization (FWO), Rs.4.49 billion are against BOT projects and Rs 597.186 million are outstanding against National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA).
The committee met with MNA Ibadullah Khan in the chair here at the Parliament House on Thursday. The meeting discussed year-wise funds reserved, released and utilized for Malakand Tunnel; collection of receivables of NHA and year-wise collection of toll plazas, and the NHA Safety (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
While briefing the committee, the NHA said that year-wise toll collection has increased to Rs 23.3 billion in 2018-19 which was Rs 13.99 billion in 2013-14. The NHA informed that its average annual collection is Rs 30 billion against expenditure of Rs 70 billion. The NHA relies on government funds and is facing funds shortage.
The committee directed the ministry to submit in its next meeting the physical and financial progress on Ayun-Bamburet Road and Chitral-Buni-Mastuj Road. The committee also recommended that like FWO and NLC, all contractors in NHA projects may be allowed 10% rebate in tax by FBR for providing equal opportunity to all and for promoting competition.
In its briefing about the Malakand Tunnel, the NHA informed the meeting that original PC-1 with scope of single tube tunnel amounting to Rs 9.043 billion had been approved by ECNEC in 2011. The 1st revised PC-I with scope of two tube tunnel amounting to Rs 16.554 billion was approved by ECNEC in 2017. The cost of the project enhanced due to depreciation of Pak rupee against the US dollar and the 2nd Revised PC-I cost is Rs 23.565 billion.
The Member (Planning) NHA briefed the committee about the implementation status of committee's recommendations. The committee was informed about the PSDP 2018-19 and PSDP 2019-20.
About Havalian-Thakot project, the NHA informed the meeting that the ministry and construction company are working on the project, the activities are at full swing and the PROJECT will be completed by Feb 29, 2020. The Hyderabad-Sukker (M-6) project is included in PSDP 2019-20 as a BOT project while NHA is conducting feasibility study and preparatory work.
The committee recommended including Khwaza Khela-Besham Expressway in the PSDP 2020-21.The committee recommended constructing interchange for Abbotabad on Hazara Motorway to facilitate public and boost tourism.
Earlier, a sub-committee was dissolved due to expiry of thirty days and the committee decided to constitute a sub-committee under the convener-ship of Murtaza Javed Abbasi to complete its probe/examination of ongoing projects, non-operational completed projects and projects for which allocation has been made but work could not be started.
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