SIALKOT, Oct 19: Showing its reservations over the Rs20 billion Sialkot-Lahore motorway project, the business community has proposed some changes in it for ensuring direct access of the city to the road.

Businessmen are of the view that the Punjab government’s proposed project lacks direct access of the city to the motorway as they will have to travel additional 18 to 20kms for their approach to it near Sialkot export processing zone (EPZ) at Sambrial.

Starting from Lahore and ending at Sambrial, the motorway project ensures direct access of Gujrat to it via Wazirabad and Sambrial. On the other side, the people of Sialkot will have to travel 30kms extra towards Daska for getting connected to motorway near Glotiyaan-Ranjhai-Daska flyovers. Besides, residents of Pasrur, Badiana, Chawinda and other surrounding areas will also have to travel long distance to approach the motorway.

Meanwhile, the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has urged the provincial and district governments to shift the proposed Glotiyaan-Ranjhai-Daska interchange from Daska’s western part to its eastern side near Jessarwala village. This step will ensure direct access to the city, besides reducing 5kms distance between Sialkot and Lahore and saving Rs10 million expenditure.

The Punjab government had announced the 101km Sialkot-Lahore motorway project about eight months ago, which is likely to be completed by the end of 2007.