3 Mega Connectivity Projects Included in CPEC Confirmed JCC

The government is planning three mega Infrastructure projects in the upcoming meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) on China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The three projects include Manserra to Muzaffarabad Expressway, Zhob-DI Khan Highway, and Babusar Tunnel. The federal minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal while chairing a preparatory meeting on the Joint Working Group on Transport Infrastructure, directed the authorities concerned to take up these projects on urgent grounds so that these projects may be included in the upcoming JCC. The meeting was attended by the officials of the CPEC Authority, National Highway Authority (NHA), Pakistan Railways, and the Gwadar Port Authority.

As per details, the NHA has already recommended the R 44.72 billion Mansehra Muzaffarabad Project to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for consideration. Zhob-DI Khan (N-50) was approved in 2017 by ECNEC. As per the project the existing 210-kilometer 2- lane road would be improved and upgraded to a four-lane and in the future extra land would be acquired to convert it to a six-lane highway. The third important connectivity project is Babusar Tunnel, which would connect Kaghan Valley with Chilas in the Gilgit Baltistan area. The underground tunnel would enable the locals as well as the foreigners to reach the area even during the harsh winter. The project would help a great deal boost tourism activities in the area.

The federal mister also directed the Railway Authorities to expedite the processing of the ML-1 project. The minister also added that the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) is another important mass transit project to be executed on the model of the Orange Line Project in Lahore. It is pertinent to mention here that the completion of these infrastructure projects under CPEC would play a vital role in boosting economic activities in the country. The projects would not only facilitate the masses but also promote tourism in the country besides creating job opportunities in the country.