DI Khan Motorway groundbreaking today

ISLAMABAD:

The groundbreaking of the Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway – an important part of the western alignment of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – will begin today (Tuesday). The prime minister is expected to lay the foundation of the project at Yarik near DI Khan.

The 285-kilometre-long motorway is expected to complete in two years at a cost of Rs142 billion, according to the National Highway Authority (NHA).

PM performs groundbreaking of Sukkur-Multan Motorway

In April, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) had approved Rs136.18 billion for the project out of which Rs124.2 billion were earmarked for its construction and Rs11.97 billion were set aside for land acquisition and other related issues.

CPEC’s western route clears another hurdle

Talking to The Express Tribune, an NHA official said a few more features were added to the motorway plan, leading to an increase of Rs5.57 billion to the construction cost. “A majority of the motorway projects under the CPEC are expected to complete within the estimated costs,” he claimed.

He added all of the projects have so far been started on schedule and will hopefully be completed within the given timeframe.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2016.