Reconstruction of M-9 as per international standards
Federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed on Thursday said that the re-construction of Karachi-Hyderabad motorway, M-9, is as per international standards whereas a concession would be made in toll fees.
Replying questions in the Senate, the minister said that the section of road between Lahore to Rawalpindi is being maintained mainly through routine maintenance contracts, periodic maintenance contracts and special maintenance contracts etc. while routine maintenance contracts are awarded and executed on a yearly basis through which the road is kept free of potholes.
Presently, fifteen routine maintenance contracts are in progress between Lahore-Rawalpindi section.
Murad said that periodic maintenance works are executed at severely distressed portions, adding that four periodic maintenance works are executed in the last two years.
He said that the National Highway Authority (NHA) intends to extend Lahore-Sialkot motorway by building Sialkot-Kharian and Kharian–Rawalpindi Motorways on Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis under PPP arrangements.
The minister said that the draft design and commercial feasibility study for Sialkot-Kharian Motorway have been completed whereas the procurement for hiring a consultant for undertaking the feasibility study of Kharian-Rawalpindi is in progress.