The Asian Development Bank (ADB) would provide Rs 18 billion to carry out Hassanabdal-Mansehra Expressway project, said Federal Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan here on Wednesday. The road project, worth Rs 20 billion, will give boost to trade and economic activities in the area. Of the total amount, Rs 18 billion would be provided by the ADB.
He said this while briefing National Assembly members (MNAs) from Hazara division, comprising Sardar Shahzehan Yousaf, Faiz Muhammad Khan and Muhammad Nawaz Alai and NWFP Assembly memberMehboobullah Jan. The minister further said the construction of Hassanabdal-Mansehra Expressway was essential for the Bhasha Dam, as heavy machinery would be transported through this road. The minister informed the participants that after acquiring the land for Hassanabdal-Mansehra Expressway, the construction work would be started soon.
He further said that the government desired to construct the Expressway on top priority basis, so that it could be connected to Gwadar, China and Central Asian States. He informed the members of National Assembly that the land would be acquired at the cost of rupees three billion and this road would be connected to M-1 at Burhan Interchange. The minister said that this road would contribute to enhancing trade and the government intended to provide infrastructure of international standards, so that the poverty could be eliminated from the country by developing industrial and trade relations with the neighbouring countries.
The MNAs from Hazara division thanked the minister and fully endorsed the vision of the government to complete this project. The expressway would be completed by the Federal government and the KKH portion from Rai Kot to Khunjrab with the help of China.
Sources in the Ministry of Communication told Business Recorder that acute shortage of funds delayed the scheduled completion of over 60 major National Highway Authority (NHA) projects, including Hassanabdal-Mansehra Expressway.
They further disclosed that according to a deal, China had to construct road from Rai Kot to Khunjrab, while the NHA had to complete the remaining part, but due to paucity of funds the NHA was not in a position to start construction on its part, whereas China had already started work on its part.