Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will perform the groundbreaking of two road projects in Narowal and Sialkot on Saturday (today), which will be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 19.3 billion. These projects include construction of 4-lane Narowal-Lahore-Sialkot Motorway link highway and dualization and improvement of Sialkot-Pasrur Road to be implemented by the National Highways Authority (NHA).
The construction of 73km long 4-lane link highway will significantly reduce the distance and travel time between Lahore and Narowal. Narowal is presently not connected with national highways network. The area enjoys strategic location and has great potential of exporting quality agricultural produce including guava, citrus, mango as well as livestock. It will boost the economic uplift and create new employment opportunities.
The 4-lane dual carriageway project will connect Narowal, Narang Mandi and adjoining areas with motorway network through Lahore-Sialkot Motorway (LSM) providing high speed transportation to the commuters, resulting in huge boost for agricultural, economic and commercial activities. Narowal Bypass, a part of ring road, will reduce traffic congestion in Narowal city and provide uninterrupted travelling through Shakargarh and Pasrur.
About 1.5 million population will be benefited from the project. Around 11,000 vehicles will pass along this section daily and the travel time between Lahore and Narowal will be reduced by one hour. The project will cost around Rs 16 billion and will be completed in 18 months. The 25.6km long Sialkot-Pasrur Road is a major road link of district Sialkot, serving two major population centres and adjoining areas.
Existing two-lane highway is carrying an average of 12,000 vehicles per day and is severely under-capacity resulting in congestion, low level of service, high rate of accidents and environmental degradation. Dualization and rehabilitation of this link road will provide improved, safe and efficient transportation with highest level of service, easement of congestion and higher level of safety. Improved drainage and waterway structures will sort out the ponding problems experienced during floods. Around 2 million people will benefit from the project. The project will be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 3.3 billion in 12 months.