Two Sections Of Hazara Motorway To Become Operational By Sept 2017

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Augst,2016) : Work on initial two sections of Hassanabdal-Havelian Motorway, commonly known as Hazara Motorway, is in full swing, which will become operational in September next year. According to an NHA official, the 20 kilometer Package-I, which starts from Burhan and ends at Jarikas and the 20 kilometer Package-II, which starts from Jarikas and ends at Sarai Saleh, are being built as fast speed. He said the total length of Hazara Motorway from Hassanabdal to Havelian would be 59.1 km.

The project would have five interchanges with toll plazas at their entrance / exit points. The official said land acquisition proceedings had been completed and out of total 44 affected villages, six were located in Punjab while the rest were in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. He said the contract for the construction of Sarai Saleh-Havelian section under for Package-III had recently been awarded and the contractor had mobilized machinery at the site.

This section would be completed by December 2017 and the motorway would become fully operational by the end of next year, he added. To a question he said that the project was initially designed as a 4-lane expressway with PC-1 cost of Rs.

30.986 billion. Upon directive of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the project has now been converted from 4-lane expressway to 6-lane motorway, hence its cost increased from Rs. 30.986 billion to Rs.

34.165 billion accordingly. The official said with the completion of the motorway, the people of Hazara Division would be able to play an active role in trade, tourism, industry and agricultural sectors that would ultimately boost the country's economy. It would thus open a new chapter in Pakistan's progress and prosperity, he added.