The work on Rs 50 million project of construction and rehabilitation of Indus Highway (N-55) is likely to be started in 2006 by the National Highway Authority (NHA).
The duel road is planned to be constructed and upgraded in two sections from Sehwan to Khairpur Nathan Shah (97.7 kms) and from Khairpur Nathan Shah to Ratodero (106 kms). It would be completed in two years.
A public hearing in this regard was organised by Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at a hotel on Saturday to review the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project and receive the objections and suggestions of the stakeholders.
Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Environment and Alternate Energy, Noman Saigol was the chief guest on the occasion.
Sindh Secretary Environment Shamsul Haque Memon, General Manager NHA Mobin Siddiqui, Director General EPA Muhammad Nasir Jamali, Vice President Nespak Azhar Maqsood and representative of Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) Noboro Condo also attended the hearing.
The objective of the proposed project is to facilitate movement of people and goods transport in the area and between different parts of the country by providing inter-provincial, road access and enhance the efficiency of existing road network.
The Advisor to Chief Minister for Environment, Noman Saigol, speaking on the occasion said that it should be mandatory requirement to conduct its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to ensure maintenance of safe environment during the implementation.
The proposed project also involves resettlement and relocation of the residential houses, business units and mosques located alongside the Indus Highway which is the major issue in the whole perspective of the project.
During the hearing many stakeholders, present on the occasion, expressed their concerns and raised questions regarding different aspects of the project which were clarified and answered by the NHA's Director Environment Mushtaq Khaqwani and Environment Protection Specialist Dr Wahida Tehreem.
Mushtaq Khaqwani said that the suggestions put forward by the people on the occasion, would be incorporated in the plan after their feasibility is considered by the concerned authorities.
Earlier, the NHA's Director Environment giving the overview of the proposed project said that it is the first time in the history of the country that an EIA of the project has been carried out to minimise damage to the physical, ecological and socio-economic environment of the adjoining areas of the project.
Sindh Secretary for Environment, Shamsul Haque Memon also spoke on the occasion.
A number of stakeholders from various organisations and students from Karachi University attended the public hearing.