Senate Body Reviews Road Safety and Infrastructure in Underdeveloped Areas

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on the Problems of Less Developed Areas, chaired by Senator Danesh Kumar, convened at Parliament House to review compliance reports and the status of road infrastructure in underdeveloped regions. The meeting was attended by Senators Falak Naz, Hamid Khan, Aimal Wali Khan, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, the Chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA), and senior officials from relevant departments.

During the session, Senator Falak Naz raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the Lowari Tunnel and N-45 in Chitral, which have been contributing to frequent accidents. She requested an update on repair work and funding from the Chairman of the NHA. He explained that the situation is complicated by ongoing litigation, with a status quo not resolved in favor of the NHA. He added that legal counsel is being considered to address the issue.

Senator Danesh Kumar questioned why the Supreme Court had not been approached, given that the matter has remained in litigation since 2020. He stressed the importance of resolving the issue by consulting the provincial government and appreciated the efforts of the NHA Chairman. The Chairman further elaborated that the Kalash Valley roads must meet NHA standards, and in some areas, land acquisition is still pending. He highlighted that while funds are available in specific areas like Kalash Valley, other challenges have slowed progress.

Additionally, Senator Aimal Wali Khan proposed constructing a separate interchange for Islamabad and the airport, emphasizing that more than half of KPK’s population passes through Islamabad. He noted that a dedicated interchange would ease traffic congestion and reduce the inconvenience faced by KPK residents. The committee decided to consult engineers to explore possible solutions. The NHA Chairman acknowledged the issue and assured the committee of efforts to address it.

The committee also reviewed progress on the Indus Highway (N-55). The NHA Chairman reported that while rehabilitation work on Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 is ongoing, bidding for Tranche 3 has begun. Tranche 2 is already 90% complete, he added.

Senator Danesh Kumar also recommended conducting a survey on Petaro 7 Road and presenting the findings at the next meeting.

In his concluding remarks, Senator Kumar, along with other committee members, expressed disappointment at the absence of the Secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology. He emphasized the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders in future discussions to ensure comprehensive solutions.