NHA Approves Widening Of Chitral-Shandur Road

The Executive Board of National Highway Authority (NHA) Thursday approved widening and improvement of Chitral-Shandur road with an estimated cost of Rs 19 billion

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Sep, 2017 ) :The Executive board of National Highway Authority (NHA) Thursday approved widening and improvement of Chitral-Shandur road with an estimated cost of Rs 19 billion.

Chairman NHA Shahid Ashraf Tarar chaired the meeting. The construction of 23 major bridges would also be part of the project. A sum of Rs. 200 million have been earmarked for the project in the current financial year, said a press release.

It will serve as alternate route for CPEC during winter season when Silk route is closed due to snowfall. The meeting was told that 153 km long project would consist of 2 lanes with 100 meter right of way.

The project would be completed in four sections including Chitral-Pret (39 km); Pret- Booni (40 km); Booni- Shaidas (38 km) and Shaidas - Shandur (35 km). The project road starting from Chitral would run parallel to Mastuj / Kunhar River till Booni.

It crosses the towns of Mori Payeen, Maroi, Pret, Barenis, Green Lasht, Reshun, Cherun, Jonali Cooch and reaches Booni. From Booni, the alignment turns towards East and reaches Mastuj after crossing Parwak.

From Mastuj it turns towards south and then runs parallel to Laspur River to meet Shandur passing through Onshit, Shaidas, Ghast, Raman, Harchin, Brook, Balim and Surlaspur. The project is a vital link between two major national highways N-45 and N-35 will boost the economy of the country specially in perspective of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The Executive Board also approved construction and repair of 4 bridges including Muzhgole bridge (60 m) with approach road (0.5 Km); Osaik bridge (90 m) with approach road (0.8 Km); Pokel bridge (45 m ) with approach road (0.4 Km) and repair of Churan bridge, Chitral with an estimated cost of Rs 545 million.