ISLAMABAD, Sep 29 (APP):The National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on Tuesday expressed concern over delays in the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6), seeking a detailed briefing from the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the relevant minister on the project’s implementation timeline. The committee meeting, chaired by MNA Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani, reviewed implementation of its earlier recommendations besides examining progress on M-6, selected PSDP projects, ML-1 pgradation …
NA body voices concern over M-6 delays, seeks detailed briefing
ISLAMABAD, Sep 29 (APP):The National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on Tuesday expressed concern over delays in the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6), seeking a detailed briefing from the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the relevant minister on the project’s implementation timeline.
The committee meeting, chaired by MNA Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani, reviewed implementation of its earlier recommendations besides examining progress on M-6, selected PSDP projects, ML-1 pgradation project, NHA matters and Karachi infrastructure, a NA Secretariat news release said.
During discussion on M-6, the committee was informed that the project comprised five sections and its implementation had been affected by recent litigation.
Groundbreaking would commence from the Sukkur side, while approvals for the Hyderabad section under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode were still awaited.
Members expressed concern over repeated delays and implementation timelines and decided to seek the presence of the NHA chairman and the minister concerned at a subsequent meeting for a detailed briefing.
The committee also reviewed progress on Sindh sections of NHA projects included in the current PSDP concerning rehabilitation and improvement of National Highway N-5.
It was informed that the Moro-Ranipur section under Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of N-5, financed through the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Flood Emergency Loan, was in progress and targeted for completion by June 2027.
The Hala-Moro section under Sectional Rehabilitation of N-5, being undertaken with Chinese grant assistance, had yet to commence.
Similarly, work on the Ranipur-Sukkur section under Widening and Improvement of Priority Sections of N-5 (Phase-I), financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), had not commenced, with land procurement still in progress.
Members raised concerns over the condition and quality of road infrastructure and sought greater clarity on the information presented to the committee.
Further consideration was deferred, with the committee calling for a section-wise briefing supported by photographs.
It also requested participation of provincial representatives in future briefings on matters falling within their respective jurisdictions.
The issue of toll charges on the Lyari Expressway was also discussed, with members raising concerns about the impact of increased toll charges on daily commuters and road safety.
The committee sought clarification on the basis for the toll and discussed measures to minimise the financial burden on commuters.
The committee also sought updates on the Dera Murad Jamali Bypass (N-25) and Mian Channu-Kamalia Road, noting that the latter was not reflected in the current PSDP.
Members further sought region-wise details of allocations under the PSDP to examine the distribution of development resources.
Regarding Treatment Plant-5 (TP-5) of the Greater Karachi Sewerage Project (S-3), the committee was informed that approximately 64 acres of land were covered by ‘sanads’ issued by the Sindh government to various persons, creating an issue requiring resolution. A high-level meeting had been proposed with the provincial government to discuss the matter.
The committee recommended that Karachi Port Trust (KPT) provide in writing its consultant’s findings regarding the justification and requirement for the substantial land area proposed for TP-5.
It also recommended reviewing and reassessing the project in light of current requirements and technological developments, as it had been conceived some time ago.
The ML-1 Upgradation Project also came under discussion. The Railways Division briefed the committee on the project and its financing arrangements, informing it that financing was expected from the ADB.
The committee sought further information on the proposed timeline and expected groundbreaking.
Among others, the meeting was attended by MNAs Naz Baloch and Farhan Chishti and, through video link, Ahmad Raza Maneka and Izbal Zehri, as well as senior officials of the Ministry of Planning, NHA, KPT and the Railways Division.
