KARACHI, June 9: A well-planned modern network of roads designed as per the contemporary engineering standards is being built in Phase-VIII of Defence Housing Authority.

In this regard, a contract was signed between the DHA and National Logistic Cell at a simple ceremony held at DHA main office here on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, DHA Administrator Brig Maqsood Hussain said that the deal was signed for construction of a network of 103-km-long major arterial roads in DHA Phase-VIII at a cost of Rs2.6 billion. The administrator reiterated that DHA Phase-VIII comprising 41,551 acres of land was designed on the most modern town planning principles. He said that Phase-VIII comprised more than 45 per cent of total area of DHA and would be developed on a fast track as a model phase of Defence.

He said that Ms Osmani Developers Ltd had designed the road network in the light of traffic circulation plan of the DHA evolved by the NESPAK through a comprehensive study carried out on the subject.

Brig Maqsood Hussain said that the wide roads being constructed would have all design features to cater for the future expansion, drainage problems and incorporate suitable footpaths and service roads with all service utilities network including underground power cables.

The director of NLC highlighting the salient features of the project said that lateral major roads would be 80 to 120foot-wide having service lanes and footpaths. He said that the NLC would deploy new and modern equipment with requisite work force to complete the stipulated project in a record period of three years.

He said that Central 26th Street which formed the main lateral of Phase-VIII would be suitably raised above the ground to ensure drainage flow of rain and storm water under gravitational force to the sea.

NLC Director-General Maj-Gen Khalid Zaheer Akhtar said that the NLC would undertake the prestigious project with an innovative and practical approach maintaining high quality of work. He said that the organisation would maintain its high reputation and credibility at all costs.

A large number of DHA and NLC officials attended the ceremony.—PPI