PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has released Rs2.3 billion for starting construction work of the Swat Expressway.

In this regard, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak chaired a meeting at the CM Secretariat here on Wednesday and asked the authorities concerned to ensure transparency in the project at all costs. The meeting was also attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and special assistant to chief minister, Akbar Ayub. The meeting was told that a comprehensive survey had been conducted following special instructions of the chief minister.

Mr Khattak said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led coalition government was leaving no stone unturned to provide better communication facilities to the people of Swat and nearby areas. He said that the latest communication facilities would put the country and its people on path to socioeconomic progress and prosperity.

According to a handout, the 81-kilometre expressway would cost Rs28.3 billion while its completion would save over two hours time, reducing the journey between Motorway Colonel Sher Interchange and Chakdara.

Road to pass through Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan and Malakand

The Swat Expressway will pass through open and scenic areas of four districts of Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan and Malakand. It will be completed under the public-private partnership in three years while land for service road on both sides of the expressway would also be acquired.

The chief minister directed for starting practical work on the project as soon as possible and sanctioned the release of Rs2.3 billion for the purpose. He made it clear that floating of tenders for the expressway and services of private sector must be hired through a transparent process.

Also read: KP to set up seven industrial estates in next fiscal

He said that the Asian Development Bank, Republic of Korea, Japan and other foreign donor agencies had expressed interest in execution of the project and hoped that it would be completed keeping in view the international standards.

Mr Khattak said that this expressway would facilitate the people travelling to big cities of Malakand division, including Swat, Dir and Chitral. Besides, it would greatly contribute to promotion of tourism because all the natural beauty and scenic places of the mountainous areas would become more accessible for the tourists.

He said that easy transportation of agricultural and industrial produce would also become possible through this expressway, boosting both the sectors. He said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was seriously considering establishment of a new industrial estate in Malakand and suitable place for this purpose was being searched. He said that the Swat Expressway would play a key role in promotion of industries in the region.

Published in Dawn, July 10th , 2014