MINGORA: The Swat Motorway would be opened to traffic by the end of April as 70 per cent work on the project was completed, said , Malakand Commissioner Zaheerul Islam Shah here on Thursday.

He was speaking at a press briefing at his office that was attended by head of all the relevant officials including deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner and additional deputy commissioner of Swat.

Mr Shah said that beautification project in Swat was not limited to only wall paintings and monuments but various developmental schemes were also part of it.

“Fourteen roads, in and around Mingora, would be rehabilitated with setting up of drains and footpaths,” he said. He added that shifting of electricity poles and installation of cat’s eyes would also be carried out on each road while dualisation of some roads was also included in the project.

“To carry out the beautification project, proper sector-wise plan has been chalked out with the help of experts and local elders,” said the commissioner. He said that work os underway on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of all the boundary walls, renovation and beautification of the Grassy Ground and Wadudia Hall besides construction of monuments at various squares of Mingora.

Mr Shah said that greenbelts and parks would also be constructed in the area. “Development of touristic spots is also underway,” he said. He added apart from provincial government, federal government also initiated development projects in Malakand division including Swat.

He said that work on the Chakdara to Fatehpur road was underway by NHA. “The road would be properly constructed including compaction, basis and sub-basis, carpeting and road furniture,” he added.

Mr Shah said that road from Chakdara to Mingora would be constructed within the next six months. He said that the beautiful project would be completed till June.

The commissioner said that Rs4.194 billion was approved for Kanju flyover and 50 per cent funds were already released. He said that every project was being executed transparently.

He said that the beautification project was designed to fulfil needs of people.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2018