Govt to construct roads in NWFP

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: To reduce transportation cost and to facilitate efficient movement of goods and passengers in selected 16 districts of NWFP, the government with the cooperation of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC/OECF) will initiate Rural Roads Construction Phase-II with the cost of Rs 6.974 billion.

For completion of this scheme, the government of Japan (JBIC) would provide Rs 6.556 billion (94 percent) soft loan and the remaining 6 percent (Rs 418.51 million) would be arranged by the provincial government of NWFP, sources told Daily Times on Thursday. Main purpose of the scheme was to construct 331 kilo meters of rural roads in districts Peshawar, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, DI Khan, Dir, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Tank, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Malakand and Chitral. It would help in rural transformation, better access to health facilities, and agriculture development in the targeted areas. The scheme would also assist the government in rehabilitation of the existing farm to market roads, which are in deteriorated condition.

The sources said no direct income was expected from the project. However, there would be insignificant benefits in terms of reduction in transportation cost, time saving and to farmers to bring their commodities to market timely. Under this scheme, about 215 kilo meters with unit cost Rs13.90 million would be spent on rehabilitation, widening of rural roads in plan areas, and about 116 kilometres with unit cost of Rs 20 million would be spent on rehabilitation, widening of rural roads in hilly areas, the sources maintained. staff report