ISLAMABAD, Aug 6: The government has decided to promote trade with the Central Asian republics through Afghanistan by enhancing regional connectivity at a cost of Rs6.5 billion.

Sources told Dawn on Saturday that the communications ministry had been directed to undertake a ‘massive construction programme’ which would also ensure swift movement of traffic on the Indus Highway.

The ministry has finalized a plan to improve and build 318.79km of roads in three provinces. It will cover Sehwan-Ratodero road via Larkana, Khairpur and Dadu in Sindh, Rajanpur-Dera Ghazi Khan road in Punjab, Dera Ismail Khan-Chashma Right Bank Canal section in the NWFP.

The Central Development Working Party was expected to approve the project on Saturday but its meeting could not take place and it will now be held on Aug 13.

The project named Indus Highway (N-55), Phase 3, covering a missing link of the first two phases, envisages improvement of the road and construction of additional carriageway in different sections. The scope of the work includes improvement, rehabilitation and construction at Larkana bypass and allied structures.