PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Highways Authority (PHA) and a private construction company signed agreement for construction of second Phase II of Swat Motorway.
On 13 January, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had approved the construction of its ‘flagship’ project – Swat motorway phase-II – under the public private partnership. The new motorway will have eight interchanges at Chakdara, Shamozai, University of Swat, Barikot, Mingora, Kanju, Matta and Sher Palam. The approval was granted during the meeting of public private partnership committee chaired by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.
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On 26 January, the agreement signing ceremony was held at the Chief Minister’s House where CM Mahmood Khan was the chief guest, who termed the project important for the economic development and promotion of tourism in Swat. The 80-km long motorway from Chakdara to Fatehpur would be completed under Public Private Partnership at an estimated cost of Rs37 billion within two years. Initially, the motorway will consist of four lines but it can be widened up to six lines in future.
“The government has started the procurement of land to start practical work on this important project,” a statement issued by the CM office quoted the Mahmood Khan. “The project will be a milestone for the sustainable development of the region.” The chief minister hoped that the completion of the project will boost trade, tourism and economic activities in the region. He added that provincial government is working on several motorway projects to connect all the districts of the province through highways. “With the completion of these projects, KP will become a hub for trade activities,” the chief minister assured.
The KP government has also issued advertisements for construction of Dir Motorway which the government believes will provide better transport facilities to the people of Dir, Chitral and Bajaur districts.