ISLAMABAD, Aug 16: National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Maj-Gen Farrukh Javed has said keeping in view the significance of national highways and motorways in economic progress, particular attention is being paid towards the development of this sector.

He was presiding over a meeting of the NHA executive board at the authority’s head office here on Tuesday.

The chairman said Lowari tunnel stood prominent among NHA projects, and added that work on it would start soon. He said initial work to this effect was being completed at a rapid pace.

Maj-Gen Javed said endeavours were being made to develop ‘Right of Way’ along highways on commercial basis that would create more job opportunities and ensure comfortable and safe journey to the travellers.

Talking about Torkham-Jalalabad highway, he said after its handing over to the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), the pace of work on this project had been accelerated.

Welcoming the new inspector general of National Highways and Motorways Police (NH&MP), he hoped that coordination between the NHA and the NH&MP would be developed further and both the departments would be able to serve the people more effectively.

The NHA executive board approved the budget estimates 2005- 06 for highways projects, besides the establishment of a record room.

The meeting reviewed matters relating to construction, extension and maintenance of national highways and motorways. It also discussed various matters relating to use of money generated through toll tax collection.

The meeting reviewed various aspects of the NHA code and approved it after certain amendments. It also called for the reorganization of the NHA.