NHA for establishing Rs312b Trade Corridor
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—In line with achieving maximum benefit from Pakistan ideal geographical location in the region, National Highway Authority is making practical advancement for establishment of National Trade Corridor at a cost of Rs. 312 billion.
Member NHA (Engr) Brig ® Shahid Majeed said this while addressing the participants of senior management course of the National Management College of Lahore here Wednesday. The senior officers of National Highway Authority were also present.
Welcoming the visiting delegates, Member (Engr) Brig ® Shahid Majeed said total length of National Highway network is 11485 Km, which is 4% of the entire road network of the country, but 80% trade and passenger traffic is associated with this network.
NHA is currently working on establishment of North/South Expressway/Motorway system, development of linkages between National Trade Corridor & Gwadar Port and up-gradation of Karakoram Highway.
He said Rs. 312 billion are required for the execution of the National Trade Corridor, programme that will provide 50% reduction in traveling time, 10% decrease in road transport cost and 70% reduction in road fatalities.
He said up-gradation of Karakoram Highway stands among priorities of NHA and work on Raikot - Khunjerab section has already been undertaken.
Presently, work on 63 projects is in progress while 16 projects have been completed and that 50 projects are in the pipeline, 62% highway network under NHA control is in good condition and the remaining will also be improved.
He said toll plazas and weigh stations are also set up all along the highway network. Besides, Government of Pakistan, International Financial Institutions also extend cooperation for realization of highway projects.
He also briefed the delegates about the roads included in the Asian Highway Network.
Shahid Majid of National Management College, Lahore appreciated the services of National Highway Authority for availability of a coordinated road network in the country.
He said road infrastructure performs key role in socio-economic uplift of the country besides promoting tourism.