Federal minister for communication, Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan, on Friday chaired a meeting to review progress on the Rs18 billion Luwari road tunnel project, scheduled to be completed within the time period of three years.
Important linkages
Completion of this project is not only a longstanding demand of the people of Chitral, but will also bolster links with Tajikistan, Dushanbe and other central Asian states. GM Luwari tunnel Col (r) Salman gave a detailed briefing regarding progress of the project.
Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan said this tunnel will not only facilitate the people of Chitral, but also ease their travel to the rest of the country. It will also strengthen our road links with central Asian states and other neighbouring countries. He said it will minimise distances, promote trade, tourism, industry, agriculture and boost the economy of the country.
Fulfilled promises
The federal minister urged concerned NHA officials to ensure early completion of the tunnel. He said president Asif Ali Zardari and prime minister Yousaf Gillani want its early completion so promises made by the democratic government with the people could be fulfilled and the country witnesses and era of prosperity. On this occasion, the chairman NHA, Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi, assured the minister that the NHA is bringing all its resources into use to ensure timely completion of all its projects, including Luwari tunnel. The chairman said the prime minister has promised Rs2 billion to NHA to help ensure timely completion of Luwari Tunnel. He said he and his team are working diligently to speed the construction process.
High officials
The meeting was also attended by federal secretary communications Anwar Ahmad Khan, chairman NHA Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi, member construction (1) Aurangzeb Khan, member construction (II) Yousaf Ali Khan, member added projects Iltamash, member admin Rana Naseer Ahmad, member infrastructures and management planning commission lieutenant general (r) Shahid Niaz, and other high officials.
In the current budget 2011-12, Rs8782.36 million have been allocated by NHA for Balochistan which is 24.18 per cent of the total PSDP allocation of NHA amounting to Rs39,900.26 million. Likewise, 38.50 per cent funds are allocated for Punjab, 16.68 per cent Sindh, 16.17 per cent for KP and 4.46 per cent for Gilgit Baltistan.
