The completion of 59 kilometres long E-35, also known as Hazara Motorway which is an important part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has been delayed for another three months, which may further escalate the project cost, it is learnt.
National Highway Authority (NHA) had revised the PC-1 of Hassanabdal-Havelian Motorway (E-35) upward from Rs 30.97 billion to Rs 34.37 billion after converting it into six lanes. However, the delay may further escalate the project cost, the sources added.
Project Director Mohammad Fayaz told Business Recorder that due to difficult terrain/site, the project has been delayed till March. However, he was optimistic that project cost would not escalate and they may be able to get some savings.
He further said the project was initially four-lane which was later converted into six-lane. According to the initial project deadline, it was to be completed by December 2017, but by converting it into six lanes, the deadline was extended to December 2018.
Official sources revealed that remaining 12-km under-construction section of Hazara Motorway from Shah Maqsood Interchange to Havelian Interchange was expected to be opened for traffic by the end of December. However, some work is still remaining and the project is likely to be completed by end-March 2019.
After completion of this portion, the Motorway would become fully operational and provide a modern six-lane road facility to the people of Havelian, Abbottabad, Mansehra and adjoining areas.
The 47-km section of the Hassanabdal-Havelian Motorway from Burhan to Shah Maqsood interchange was opened for traffic in December last year.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had performed the ground-breaking of 59-kilometre expressway on November 29, 2014 and it was scheduled to be completed by December 2017.
The 59-kilometre long 6-lane fenced motorway would reduce the drive time from Islamabad to Havelian to just 30 minutes in addition to providing road to the Havelian Dry Port project. The project anticipates hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities, possibilities of new business ideas and socio-economic uplift of the whole region.
The project was divided into three packages aimed at increasing the pace of work. The package-1 (Bhurhan-Jarikas, 20.3km) was awarded to China Gezhouba Group Company and Ghulam Rasool Company as joint venture with bid amount of Rs 7.376 billion. The package-2 (Jarikas-Sarai Saleh-19.2 km) was awarded to China Gezhouba Group Company and AM Associates on JV with bid amount of Rs 6.775 billion. The both packages were scheduled to be completed by March 2017.
The third package (Sarai Slaeh-Havelian-20.02 km) was awarded to Limak-ZKB (JV) with bid amount of Rs 8.188 billion and this package was scheduled to be completed by December 2017.
The project is being funded through an Asian Development Bank loan (90 percent of the total cost) and 10 percent by the government of Pakistan.
Burhan Interchange on Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M-1) is Hazara Motorway's start point, whereas it has three sections from Hasanabdal to Jarikas, from Jarikas to Serai Saleh and from Serai Saleh to Hawalian, while the expressway has 44 flyovers and bridges, 29 underpasses and 163 box culverts.