PESHAWAR, April 29 NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti has approved the feasibility and design of Mardan Western Bypass Road which would cost over Rs720 million.

“The mega project will not only minimise the pressure on traffic in Mardan city but will also provide modern facilities of communication to population composed of 70 thousand people of connected areas,” he said.

According to a handout issued here on Wednesday, he was presiding over a presentation of Works and Services Department related to designing and feasibility study of bypass road.

Additional Chief Secretary Ghulam Dastageer Khan, administrative officers of finance, works and services departments, managing director of the Frontier Highway Authority (FHA) and other officials were also present on the occasion.

Three options related to the project were thoroughly scrutinised and unanimously agreed option, however, the chief minister laid stress on re-examining of the estimated cost of the project.

FHA managing director threw light on the project and said that the 15Km road would provide alternative route to the people of northern districts and would facilitate movement of the people of northern districts without entering Mardan city.

The road, the official said, would be used as Mardan Ring Road which would play the role of milestone in the adornment, social and financial development of Mardan in future.