SIALKOT, Dec 6: Citizens in general and businessmen in particular have expressed their grave concern over the slow pace of construction work on 37km Sialkot-Sambrial-Wazirabad dual carriageway.

Talking to newsmen here, a group of traders said the slow pace of work was badly hampering business activities, besides creating health hazards for residents owing to dust and mud on this under-construction road.

Following the pressing demand of the local business community, the Punjab government had released a special grant of Rs870 million for conversion of 37km Sialkot-Sambrial-Wazirabad Road into a dual carriageway within a stipulated period of one year. But only 3km part of the road had been constructed even after a lapse of two years.

The Sambrial-based traders have urged the chief minister to direct the authorities concerned to expedite work on the road.