The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) has approved major road construction projects to improve the connectivity of far flung areas.
The first project approved by ECNEC was the Indus Highway (N-55) Additional Carriageway Project (Shikarpur-Rajanpur section) covering length of 221.95 kms with rationalisation of cost Rs44.703 billion. It envisages construction of additional 2-lane and widening/rehabilitation of existing 2-lane carriageway of Shikarpur-Rajanpur section of Indus highway N-55. The existing 2- lane road would be upgraded to 4-lane dual carriageway with each lane 3.65m wide
The meeting also approved construction of Rajanpur-DG Khan section of N-55 as 4-Lane Highway 9,121.50 kms at the total rationalised cost of Rs33.172 billion with the ADB share Rs28.528 billion. The project is expected to be completed in three years by the NHA. The project road starts from Rajanpur and passes through Fazilpur, Muhammad Pur Dewan, Jampur, and terminates at Dera Ghazi Khan.
Another project considered and approved was the Dualisation and Rehabilitation of the DG Khan- DI Khan Section of the N-55(208.19km).
The meeting of ECNEC also approved the rehabilitation and up-gradation of 79.890 kms, Jhaljao-Bela Road.
The project for the construction of Peshawar Northern Bypass (32.2 kms) was also approved with second revised cost of Rs21,338.005 million. The project envisages construction of 32.20 kms, 4-lane bypass with service roads on either side, on the northern side of Peshawar city.
