ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: Communications Minister Muhammad Shamim Siddiqui presided over a meeting to review the technical matters concerning 'Satra (17) meel-Lower Topa' section of the Islamabad-Muzaffarabad highway.

The meeting was held at the National Highway Authority (NHA) head office in which Maj-Gen Farrukh Javed, the chairman of the NHA, briefed the minister about the details of the project. The NHA chief said originally the project, Islamabad-Muzaffarabad Dual Carriageway, was designed in 1992 and the contract was awarded in 1993.

"However, the contract was terminated in 1994 and was revived in 1999. Under the design and contract the four-lane 'Satra (17) meel-Lower Topa' section of the project is 43.2km long and so far it has cost Rs3.864 billion."

The NHA chief claimed that the incomplete handing over of 'ROW' to the contractor, involvement of locals, the forest department, cantonment and the Pakistan Air Force land as well as the extreme weather conditions were the factors, which caused delay in completion of this project.

The minister said "Islamabad-Muzaffarabad Highway stands prominent among NHA projects ad it has a strategic importance and would also provide access to Kashmir valley. It would also help promote tourism in the region." Mr Siddiqui said a concrete policy would be adopted for early construction of the remaining part of the project.