NHA directed to expedite work on Lowari Tunnel

PESHAWAR, Sept 13: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has asked the National Highway Authority (NHA) to ensure early completion of Lowari tunnel. During a briefing by the high-ups of the NHA on the ongoing development schemes, the chief minister said Lowari tunnel would play a key role not only in providing communication facilities to the dwellers of the area but also in boosting the economy of the province and promotion of tourism. The ongoing schemes include Lowari tunnel, Jhalkhand-Chilas road, Peshawar northern bypass, Khushal Ghar Bridge, Takht Bhai flyover, Chamkani interchange, Alpuri-Bisham road, Chakdara Bridge and Mansehra-Chilas road projects etc. NHA Chairman Maroof Afzal and others officials briefed the chief minister about the progress so far made on these projects, position of funding and other related issues. The provincial government would complete those projects on time, Mr Kahttak said. He directed the NHA authorities to expedite work on the projects. He said that provincial government would extend all possible support and cooperation to NHA for the early completion of the projects. The chief minister asked the officials to utilise all the funds released for those projects and take necessary steps for the timely completion of the schemes so that people could soon benefit from the projects and avoid extra expenditures incurring due to price escalation.]]>