National Highway Authority (NHA) Executive Board approved the annual maintenance plan of NHA for 2012-13 and allowed insurance bonds from AA rated insurance companies for bid security and performance security allowed as per Pakistan Engineering Council standards. These decisions were taken in the Board meeting held with Chairman NHA, Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi in the chair here on Tuesday.
The Executive Board approved the dualisation and rehabilitation of 3.7-km old GT Road in Renala Khurd at a cost of Rs 99.982 million, allowed insurance bonds from AA rated insurance companies for bid security and performance security allowed as per Pakistan Engineering Council standards, approved the revised PC-1 of Makran Coastal Highway and construction of Takht Bhai Flyover. Two lane flyovers will be 1.14-km long and Rs 50 million have been allocated in current financial year. The Board approved Deharr Road from Khad Pul to Pul Khadul in Multan, while various aspects of revised PC-1 of Qazi Ahmad Bridge were also discussed.
NHA chairman informed the Board that sufficient funds have been provided to NHA for the financial year 2012-13, which will enable NHA to carry on all its projects. Province-wise allocation of funds will help NHA to allocate more funds for near completion projects and complete them in time, NHA chairman maintained. He further said that to review the progress of maintenance work of various NHA projects, he visited from Islamabad to Karachi by-road in past few weeks following which a maintenance plan for 2012-13 has been prepared with more focused approach and fixed responsibilities.
NHA's best officers have been made team leaders who will directly report to the chairman, which would add to the efficiency of NHA officials and bring good results in the maintenance plan, NHA chairman added. The members decided that quarterly report may be presented before the executive board for review. The Board also discussed toll rates and its receipt. The meeting was attended by members from Finance division, Planning Commission, Ministry of Communications, NH&MP and NTRC.