Delay in highway construction irks NA panel
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications on Wednesday expressed displeasure over the delay in the construction of national highways and motorways.
The committee reviewed several matters concerning road infrastructure, project delays, maintenance standards, toll collection and ongoing motorway schemes.
It expressed serious dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Communications’ response to a question raised by Syed Rafiullah, MNA, about roads deteriorating shortly after completion due to substandard construction and poor planning.
The ministry attributed the problem to extreme weather conditions and inadequate maintenance funds, but the committee and the mover were not satisfied with the generalised response and directed the ministry to provide a specific and comprehensive reply to the issue.
The committee also examined the deteriorated condition of the Sukkur-Shikarpur Highway and expressed concern over frequent accidents on the highway. The NHA chairman informed the committee that an M&I report had been prepared, the official concerned would be suspended, and an inquiry would be conducted.
On the Ratodero-Gwadar Motorway (M-8), the committee was informed by the ministry that a hydrological study would be undertaken to identify the most suitable design for the area linking Sindh with Balochistan.
The committee deferred the matter concerning the delayed construction of the Karachi Port-Qayyumabad Road on the request of MNA Syed Hafeezuddin who sought time to redraft the agenda for consideration at the next meeting of the committee.
The committee was informed that work on the Sukkur-Hyderabad (M-6) Motorway would commence by the end of Oct 2026. The panel decided to visit the project site, hold the committee meeting there and attend the groundbreaking ceremony.
The committee also reviewed matters concerning the New Baran Bridge, Dera Murad Jamali Bypass, completion of the Bhong Interchange, the poor condition of the Pindi-Batya–Sahianwala Road, and progress on the M-10 project.