ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched a Rs21.8 billion project to widen the Islamabad Highway on Tuesday and announced plans to link its Rawat terminal point with M2 motorway.

Construction of a bridge and a bypass is also planned at Bhara Kahu to facilitate travel to Murree and Kashmir, the prime minister told the groundbreaking ceremony at Shakarparian parade ground.

“No corruption or scandals would be tolerated in projects of public importance,” the prime minister warned.

Under the project, the 24km-long Islamabad Highway from Zero Point to Rawat will be expanded to five lanes. It involves building six interchanges - full cloverleaf interchanges at I-8, Khanna and Koral Chowk, a partial cloverleaf interchange and an intersection at G.T. Road and another intersection Sohan, as well as upgrading of the existing Faizabad interchange.

On the occasion, the prime minister also referred to the long delayed widening of the Kashmir Highway, saying those responsible should be held accountable for the delay.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced a Rs5 billion package for revamping and maintenance of the existing infrastructure of Islamabad.

Capital Development Authority’s Member Administration Amer Ali Ahmed told Dawn the contract for the first phase covering the Zero Point-Faizabad stretch of the Islamabad Highway widening project has been awarded.

“All is set for the work to start,” he said.

Work on the first phase is to be completed in four months and the entire project in 10 months, according to the CDA official.

CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal informed the prime minister that the first phase of the project relates to the 4km stretch from Zero Point to Faizabad and includes building an interchange at I-8 crossing; the second phase to the 8.5km road from Faizabad to Koral Chowk and the third to the 12.5km road from Koral to G.T. Road.

Besides others, the ceremony was attended by members of the CDA Board Amer Ali Ahmed, Member Finance Sher Bahadar Arbab, Member Environment Syed Mustafain Kazmi, Member Planning and Design Waseem Ahmed Khan and Member Engineering Shahid Sohail.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2015

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