PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed the authorities concerned to ensure timely completion of Swat motorway project.

A statement issued here said that the chief minister was chairing a meeting regarding development of communication infrastructure, which was attended by information minister Shaukat Yousafzai, communication and works minister Akbar Ayub and the relevant officials.

The CM said that flagship projects of the incumbent government would prove to be a major economic boost for the entire country. He said that he would soon hold an inspection visit of Swat motorway project.

He said that the design revision of second phase of the project from Chakdara to Mingora and final design for its phase-3 from Mingora to Chakri Bagh Dheri should be completed by September this year.

He also ordered timely construction and blacktopping of 35.25km Mingora-Malam Jabba road and sought a separate presentation on feasibility of Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan motorway.

The chief minister said that Peshawar-Dera motorway would ensure access of the merged tribal districts to major routes, which would boost trade activities.

He said that Hazara, Swat and Dera motorways would not only connect major cities of the province, these would also ensure easy trade activities in the entire region alongside boosting tourism.

He was also briefed about the progress on Malam Jabba road, Sherkot- Hangu road and preparation of design for the third phase of Swat motorway, which included 42km road from Mingora to Bagh Dheri.

The chief minister was informed that 40 per cent survey for third phase of the project had been completed, which would have five interchanges, including Mingora-Kanju, Malam Jabba-Charbagh, Matta-Khwazakhela, Bagh Dheri-Chakdara and Sher Palam interchange.

He directed to complete the feasibility study, design and PC-I of the project by September next so that construction work could be initiated.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2019