Delay in highways construction irks NA panel

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications expressed dissatisfaction over delays in the construction of national highways and motorways on Wednesday. The committee reviewed various issues related to road infrastructure, including project delays, maintenance standards, toll collection, and ongoing motorway schemes.

Committee member Syed Rafiullah, MNA, raised concerns about the rapid deterioration of roads after completion due to substandard construction and poor planning. The ministry of communications attributed the issue to extreme weather conditions and inadequate maintenance funds, but the committee was not satisfied with the general response and requested a specific and comprehensive answer.

The committee examined the deteriorated Sukkur-Shikarpur Highway, with an M&I report prepared, indicating a suspension of the official responsible and an upcoming inquiry. Regarding the Ratodero-Gwadar Motorway (M-8), the ministry informed the committee of a hydrological study to determine the most suitable design for the Sindh-Balochistan border.

The committee deferred the discussion on the Karachi Port-Qayyumabad Road delay, requesting additional time for redrafting the agenda. The committee learned that work on the Sukkur-Hyderabad (M-6) Motorway would begin by the end of October 2026 and expressed intent to visit the project site, hold a meeting there, and attend the groundbreaking ceremony.

The panel also addressed matters concerning the New Baran Bridge, Dera Murad Jamali Bypass, the completion of the Bhong Interchange, the poor condition of the Pindi-Batya-Sahianwala Road, and the progress on the M-10 project.