NHA approves establishment of 9 emergency response centres: NA body informed

National Highways Authority (NHA) Executive Board has approved the establishment of nine emergency response centres (trauma centres) along N-25, N-50 and N-85 roads. The purpose of establishment of emergency response centers is to provide rescue, relief and first aid in remote areas in case of road accident, the Secretary M/o Communications/Chairman NHA informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications met here on Monday to discuss matters related to the land compensation issues (Shorkot-Garh Maharaja Bridge, Lowari Tunnel Access Road, roads of district Kohistan); Trauma Centre at Khanozai (N-50 Road); Karachi Northern Bypass and other projects. The meeting was presided over by MNA Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi.
The chairman NHA informed the committee that nine trauma centres will be opened at Dhanasar, Meena Bazaar, Kalat, Surab, Wad, Kararo, Nag, Wangu and Hoshab. The NHA has planned to establish these trauma centres in the first phase as there are no hospitals in the closed vicinities on said routes, he added.
The chairman NHA informed the committee members that almost 95 per cent payments have been made to the claimants of Shorkot- Garh Maharaja Bridge, Lowari Tunnel and Khuwakhela-Bisham (N-90), district Kohistan. The committee was informed that Shorkot-Garh Maharaja Bridge is a part of 28.09-km project and it includes eight villages. Five affectees have filed references in the court for enhancement of compensation award and are not willing to take payments. Due to inheritance matters, 10 applicants' claims are pending before the revenue authorities.
Thirteen applicants have not submitted their claims yet whereby three applicants submitted their claims and they will be paid after the posting of land acquisition collector (LAC). It was informed that LAC was posted in the mid-January 2017 and then was again transferred on January 26, 2017; thus the LAC performed his duties on the project for a period of less than two weeks. He said during his period, 33 claims have been paid.
The chairman told the committee that the NHA requested for posting of LAC to Board of Revenue on February 13, 2017. The committee strongly recommended to the government of Punjab for posting of LAC.
Karachi Northern Bypass and collapsed portion of Sher Shah Bridge have been completed and opened for routine traffic. Shifting of electric poles/utilities was consulted with the WAPDA representatives section-I from Muslimabad to Fawara Chowk, Abbottabad. The committee directed to invite M/o Water and Power and WAPDA authorities in the next meeting.
MNAs Sarzameen Khan, Chaudhry Khalid Javaid Warraich, Maiza Hameed, Dr Darshan, Nazir Ahmed Bughio, Ramesh Lal, Engineer Hamid-ul-Haq Khalil, Maulana Qamar-ud-Din, Sahibzada Tariq Ullah, Naseema Hafeez Panezai, Engineer Usman Khan Tarakai and Shahjehan Muneer Mangrio, and officials of the NHA attended the meeting.