ISLAMABAD: Road and rail links with the Gwadar Port must be developed and completed speedily along with other facilities to realise its full potential particularly with regards to facilitating exports so that it could emerge as a major economic hub in the region, observed the Senate Standing Committee on Ports & Shipping, which met at the Parliament House under the Chairpersonship of Senator. Gulshan Saeed on Monday.
Senate Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping on Monday constituted a 3-member Committee to act as an intermediary between National Highway Authority (NHA) and local population / influentials to develop road and rail links with the Gwadar Port. Senator Dr. Abdul Malik heads the committee
Other members of the sub committee include senators Dr. Muhammad Ismail Buledi and Mir Israrullah Khan to sort out issues with the locals especially regarding acquisition of land and security problems in Balochistan to develop road and rail links for Gwadar Port.
They called upon the Government to accord the highest priority to the project.
The Chairman NHA, in his briefing to the Committee, stated that road connectivity with the hinterland is key to market the Port for transit trade with Afghanistan, Central Asian Republics and China.
The road linkages to Gwadar comprise the following sectors; Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab-Panjgur-Nag-Basima-Surab (N-85) links Gwadar to N-25 RCD Highway at Surab. The NHA has awarded contract for up-gradation of this federalised road to the FWO. This road shall connect Gwadar to N-85 & N-25- RCD Highway at Khuzdar and N-55 Indus Highway at Ratodero.. This road links Gwadar to Quetta and Chamman through N-25-RCD Highway.
The Senate Committee was also given a presentation on development of Rs. 100 billion Gwadar-Quetta Rail-link project and the reasons why it was stalled. The Committee took a strong exception to the provincial Government’s violation of the ban on sale of state lands imposed by the federal Government in Balochistan.
The Government/Railway prized land was allegedly sold by the unscrupulous elements in the provincial administration to private housing societies / land developers at throw away prices.
The same societies, it was alleged, are now demanding millions of Rupees from the railways to provide land for construction of Container Yard. staff report
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