National Highway Authority (NHA) has revised the PC-1 of Hassanabdal-Havelian Expressway (E-35) upward from Rs 30.97 billion to Rs 34.37 billion after converting it to six lanes. NHA Executive Board has revised the PC-1 of E-35 upward and submitted it to the Planning Commission, said Fayaz Ahmad, Project Director (E-35) while briefing media.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif performed the ground-breaking of 59 kilometres expressway on November 29, 2014 and would be completed by December 2017. This important road link would be part of Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The 59 kilometre long 6-lane fenced expressway would reduce the drive time from Islamabad to Havelian to just 30 minutes in addition to providing road to the Havelian Dry Port project. The project anticipates hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities, possibilities of new business ideas and socio-economic uplift of the whole region.
NHA arranged a visit/briefing for media persons to the project site where it was observed that heavy machineries were mobilised.
PD said that the project has been divided into three packages aimed at increasing the pace of work. The package-1 (Bhurhan-Jarikas-20.3 km) has been awarded to M/S China Gezhouba Group Company and Ghulam Rasool Company as joint venture with bid amount of Rs 7.376 billion. The package-2 (Jarikas-Sarai Saleh-19.2 km) has been awarded to M/S China Gezhouba Group Company and AM Associates on JV with bid amount of Rs 6.775 billion. The both packages would be completed by March 2017.
The third package (Sarai Slaeh-Havelian-20.02 km) has been awarded to M/S Limak-ZKB (JV) with bid amount of Rs 8.188 billion and this package would be completed by December 2017. M/s DOHWA of Korea in association with M/s EMS Prime Eng &Testing Consultant has been hired as consultants for the project.
The project is being funded through an Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan (90 percent of total cost) and 10 percent by the Government of Pakistan.
Burhan Interchange on Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M-1) is Hazara Expressway's start point, whereas it has three sections from Hasanabdal to Jarikas, from Jarikas to Serai Saleh and from Serai Saleh to Hawalian, respectively; the expressway will have 44 flyovers & bridges, 29 underpasses, and 163 box culverts.
Fayaz Ahmad said that 41 percent work on package-1, 34 percent on package-2 and 5 percent on package-3 had been achieved.
"We are working on project vigorously to complete it on time; however it will be finalised after getting the approval for extension in scope of work including structural changes would be made after upgrading it to 6-lane against the initial proposal of 4-lane", said PD adding that in case of technical hitches, it may take longer to complete. However there will be no compromise on quality of work and transparency.
The expressway will enable safer, faster and more cost effective inter-regional transportation of goods and services spurring economic activity and opportunities for the people in towns and cities along the route.
NHA officials revealed that an agreement has been signed with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for providing security to Chinese contractors/engineers and other staff. However Chinese contractors have also hired private security to ensure foolproof security.