ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: The National Highway Authority (NHA) on Saturday approved the feasibility reports of different projects. The PC-1 of projects like replacement of five Bailey/equipment bridges with permanent bridges on Gilgit-Skardu Road , construction of Indus Highway Project Phase-III and construction of a bridge over Chenab river at Shershah district, Muzaffargarh, was approved by the executive board of the authority in a meeting presided over by Gen Furrukh Javed.

The meeting reviewed the matters related to construction, extension and maintenance of the national highways and administrative and financial affairs of the authority.

A review petition for waiver of penalty imposed on A A Associates regarding design of Chablat-Nowshera Section of N-5 and that of federalization of Provincial Road Linking Indus Highway (Sarai Gambila) with Ghulam Khan (near Afghan Border) via Bannu and Miranshah was also approved.

The board also finalized the variation order regarding technical affairs of Lahore-Islamabad Motorway. Approval was also given for award of contract for laying a water pipeline from Pracha Chowk to Baldin water pumping station along Hub river road Karachi northern bypass.

Furrukh Javed said the NHA was endeavouring to modernize the highway network and through effective measures, the highway projects were being completed ahead of schedule. He said quality and durable construction of highways and bridges was top most priority of the authority. He also announced that the Islamabad- Burhan section of M-1 would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in a few days.

Mr Javed said work on grand Makran Coastal Highway was in the final stage and this prestigious project would be inaugurated by President Pervez Musharraf next month. The project, he said, was being developed with a cost of Rs10 billion and would be completed four months ahead of schedule.

He said the authority was making a comprehensive planning to extend roads up to the borders of Afghanistan and Iran with a view to facilitating regional trade traffic.