Billions at stake: Senate questions NHA delays in major road projects  

The National Highway Authority (NHA) is under pressure after a Senate committee expressed serious concerns over delays in project

Islamabad: The National Highway Authority (NHA) is under pressure after a Senate committee expressed serious concerns over delays in project restructuring, slow progress on major road schemes and the need for better management of billions of rupees invested in national highways.

The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives questioned why important decisions regarding NHA projects had not been completed on time and directed authorities to speed up work to prevent further delays.

The committee, chaired by Senator Quratulain Marri, reviewed the progress of NHA projects and examined issues related to projects financed through the Cash Development Loan system.

Officials informed the committee that NHA was preparing a complete debt restructuring plan in coordination with the Ministry of Communications and Finance Division.

The committee expressed concern over delays in implementing earlier decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee regarding the review and separation of NHA projects under the Public Sector Development Programme.

Senator Quratulain Marri said the review process should have been completed much earlier and questioned why important decisions were still pending.

NHA officials informed the committee that the review of projects was currently underway and assured members that the process would be completed as soon as possible.

The committee also reviewed progress on major highway projects, including the M6 Motorway and N55 Highway.

Officials informed the committee that the groundbreaking ceremony for the M6 Motorway Project is expected later this year.

Regarding the N5 Highway, NHA officials said rehabilitation work on different sections was currently continuing with financial support from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Officials told the committee that NHA conducts yearly surveys of highways to check their condition and classify roads as poor, fair or good.

They said these surveys help authorities identify damaged sections and plan repair and maintenance work before conditions become worse.

The committee also examined progress on the foreign funded portion of the N55 project.

Officials informed members that the project was divided into different sections and progress varied across each part.

They said one section from Shikarpur to Kandhkot had achieved 34 percent physical progress, with only eight months remaining before the completion deadline.

The committee stressed that the remaining work must be completed within the planned time because delays increase costs and affect public convenience.

Officials also informed the committee that another section from Kandhkot to Kashmore had achieved 22 percent progress and may face difficulties in meeting the original completion schedule.

However, officials said other sections of the project were expected to be completed on time.

The committee warned that delays in road projects not only waste public resources but also slow economic growth, trade activities and travel facilities for citizens.

Senator Quratulain Marri emphasized that government departments should focus on completing existing projects before starting new development schemes.

She said limited public funds must be used carefully and ongoing projects should receive priority until they are substantially completed.

The committee directed NHA and relevant departments to improve coordination, complete pending reviews and ensure that important highway projects move forward without unnecessary delays.