12 May 2004	Wednesday	21 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, May 11: The ministry of environment feels that the inordinate delays in the construction of 55-kilometre Khwaza Khel-Kalam Road was affecting tourism in the area.

A source in the ministry told Dawn that the road was to be constructed by the Frontier Highway Authority, with assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB), but due to several reasons the project was delayed.

The environment ministry said that tourism in the northern areas, specially in Kalam, had diminished due to dilapidated condition of the road. According to the environment ministry, tourists faced hardships while travelling towards Kalam.

Some accidents had also been reported on this road because of its poor condition. The ministry has taken up the issue with the government and has questioned why despite its firm resolve to boost tourism, the government has failed to move the concerned departments to cooperate in improving tourism in the country.

Kalam is stated to be one of the most attractive resorts in Pakistan for both local and foreign tourists, but bad condition of the Khwaza Khel-Kalam Road is discouraging them from taking a trip to this beautiful tourist site.

The source said the Asian Development Bank wanted to provide funds for the project, but the Frontier Highway Authority wanted to make some changes in the scope of work.

The Frontier Highway Authority has reportedly issued tenders for the project some two months ago, but no further progress has so far been made on the construction work.

Under the terms of Asian Development Bank assistance, the Frontier Highway Authority was bound to finalise tendering process within a month and award the contract to the eligible firm, the source said. The total cost of the project is stated to be Rs530 million and it has to be completed within a year.