BAHAWALPUR, Feb 6: Delay in the dualization of national highway’s Bahawalpur-Tarinda Muhammad Panah section is piling agony on commuters, motorists and transporters.

The work on the 90 kms long section was taken in hand at a cost of Rs 2,681 million in December 2002 and was to be completed within two years — by December 2004.

Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and a number of other bodies have been drawing the attention of National Highway Authority’s top officials towards the slow pace of work but to no avail.

So far, none of the dual lanes is complete. As motorists have to change lanes frequently, there are reports of accidents. Trucks and other heavy vehicles often turn turtle while changing lanes. Buses also meet accidents as drivers do not reduce speed.

Transporters on the other hand are sustaining losses due to wear and tear.

Project director Arbab Ali was not available for comments. Sources said that the NHA had now fixed June 2006 as the deadline for its completion which also seemed impossible because of the pace of work and the task left.

NHA sources said the entire project was revised as bypasses at Khanqah Sharif, Channigoth and Abbaisa flyover at Ahmedpur East Chowk and a railway overhead bridge near Bahawalpur were not included in the original plan.

While work on railway overhead bridge was in progress, the construction of Abbasia flyover seemed a distant possibility by June next.