PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Monday directed communication and works department to complete financial and commercial feasibility studies of the Phase-II of Swat Motorway and Dera Ismail Khan and Dir motorways.

A statement issued here said that chairing a meeting of the department, the chief minister said that government would provide required resources for the purpose.

The meeting was informed that executive committee of National Executive Council had approved land acquisition scheme for Swat Motorway Phase-II whereas public-private partnership unit had recommended the financial and commercial feasibility of the project.

The meeting was told that consultancy would be awarded next month for commercial and financial study of Dir Motorway while financial and commercial feasibility of Peshawar-DI Khan Motorway would be completed next month.

The meeting was apprised that PC-II of 29 kilometres long road from Baba Sarai area of Buner district to Katlang Interchange was prepared and would be submitted to relevant forum for approval.

The meeting was informed that under the KP Integrated Tourism Development Project (KITE), work was in process on 50 kmilomtres long nine different access roads to tourist areas in Malakand division.

Similarly, construction of five access roads to tourist areas in Hazara division was also part of current development portfolio whereas construction of 30 kilometres long approach road to Sheikh Badeen tourist site was reflected in the Annual Development Programme.

The meeting was told that 33 schemes in road sector were completed during financial year 2019-20. This time, 114 schemes would be completed in road sector and Rs28.522 billion had been allocated for total 507 schemes in current ADP.

The meeting was told that Pakhtunkhwa Highways Authority had constructed 170 kilometres long new highways and 79 bridges.

In the current ADP, Rs1.824billion was allocated for 32 ongoing schemes of the authority and Rs215 million for six new schemes.

It was said that Rs800 million was allocated for five schemes in tribal districts under accelerated implementation programme.

The forum was also briefed about the reforms introduced by communication and works department.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2020