NA panel seeks report on PSDP schemes, forms sub-committee to review NHA performance

ISLAMABAD, Jul 03 (APP): The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Communications on Friday sought a comprehensive report on the status of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) schemes and constituted a sub-committee to examine project implementation, financial management and the toll plaza contracting process.

The Committee offered Fatiha on the demise of the son of the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Communications, said a news release.

The Committee reviewed its previous recommendations concerning the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) schemes. It was informed that, out of the total PSDP outlay of Rs. 3.7 trillion, approximately Rs. 2.6 trillion comprised throw-forward schemes.

The Committee was further informed that around Rs. 60 billion allocated to the National Highways Authority had been reduced in the Federal Budget owing to austerity measures and emerging security requirements. It was stated that 71 ongoing projects fall under the category of throw-forward schemes. The Committee sought a comprehensive status report on these schemes, including their province-wise bifurcation and expected completion timelines.

The Committee was also informed that development schemes proposed by members had not been accommodated by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, as the current policy prioritizes the completion of ongoing projects over the approval of new schemes.

The Chairman Committee observed that expenditure on road maintenance had remained significantly constrained over the past two years and directed the Ministry to submit a comprehensive report on the utilization of maintenance funds, particularly in the Province of Sindh.

A member from Balochistan raised concern over the delay in the execution of the Lasbela-Awaran Road project and pointed out that Rs. five billion allocated for the Kharan-Basima Road had remained unutilized for several years.

Regarding the New Baran Bridge project, the Secretary, Ministry of Communications, informed the Committee that the feasibility study had been completed and that the project had been taken up as a new scheme to be financed through AIIB funding.

The Committee also sought an update on the slow pace of work on the Keti Bandar Road project and requested the Ministry to provide its expected completion timeline.

The member expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay in the Quetta–Zhob Road project, stating that despite nearly two decades of work, the project continued to suffer from numerous diversions along its 320-kilometre length. The Member also emphasized that the 13-kilometre stretch from Fort Munro to Loralai, which carried substantial inter-provincial traffic, should be accorded the highest priority.

In response, the Chairman, NHA, assured the Committee that this section would be completed during the current year through maintenance funds, considering its strategic importance.

Another member from Sindh expressed concern over the limited field presence of the NHA, stating that greater on-site supervision was essential for the timely execution of ongoing projects. The Committee also discussed the incomplete Shahdadkot Bypass project and directed that the General Manager, NHA Sukkur, must attend the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee further highlighted that the Rajanpur Toll Plaza continued to collect substantial toll revenue despite the road not being fully completed and contrary to the Committee’s earlier recommendations. The Committee also questioned the rationale behind awarding the operation of all toll plazas in Sindh to a single contractor.

A member of the Committee advised the NHA to ensure that large corporate beneficiaries of road infrastructure projects contribute through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives towards the socio-economic development of the local communities, particularly in Balochistan.

While reviewing the latest progress on the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, the Committee was informed that the project comprised five sections: Hyderabad-Tando Adam, Tando Adam-Nawabshah, Nawabshah-Naushahro Feroze, Naushahro Feroze-Ranipur, and Ranipur-Sukkur.

The Committee was informed that Rs. 30 billion had been allocated during the current financial year against a total demand of Rs. 70 billion. It was further apprised that Sections I and II would be executed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, Sections IV and V through financing from the Islamic Development Bank, and Section III through OPEC Fund financing. The Ministry also briefed the Committee on the expected commencement schedule and the current progress of each section.

The Committee also reviewed the facilities being provided by the National Highways Authority to commuters on motorways and national highways. While acknowledging the existing arrangements, the committee members observed that further improvements were required.

The committee sought details of new initiatives planned in this regard and reiterated its earlier directions that all lanes at toll plazas should remain operational at all times. The NHA was further directed to take strict action against contractors found violating the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The Committee constituted a sub-committee under the convenership of Syed Hafeezuddin, with Mr. Ramesh Lal, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, and Mr. Shamsher Ali Mazari as its members. The Sub-Committee was tasked to examine the details of the National Highways Authority’s (NHA) throw-forward schemes, including their commencement and completion dates, original approved cost against expenditure incurred, and province-wise bifurcation.

The Sub-Committee was also mandated to review the toll plaza tendering process, including the award of all toll plazas in Sindh to a single contractor, and to examine the collection of toll tax on under-construction roads despite the Committee’s earlier recommendations.

The meeting was attended by the members of the Standing Committee, namely Members National Assembly (MNAs)Muhammad Bilal Badar, Muhammad Azhar Khan Leghari, Shamsher Ali Mazari, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, Akhtar Bibi, Dr. Darshan, Nazir Ahmed Bhugio, Syed Hafeezuddin, Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi, Ramesh Lal, Usaman Badini, and Hameed Hussain.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Inspector General of Motorways and Highways Police, and representatives of the National Highways Authority and other attached departments also attended the meeting.