The development of rail and road network is integral part of infrastructure in the modern age without which the cherished goal of prosperity is hard to be achieved. Addressing the ground breaking ceremony of the 24-kilometer signal free corridor of Islamabad Expressway, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says that Pakistan is at a take-off position and completion of mega development projects is a priority of his government. The project of widening the existing Expressway will cost Rs 22 billion which will serve as a major link of the federal capital with the rest of the country through GT Road. It will also shorten the travel time and will help cut fuel costs. The prime minister claimed that the funding for the development projects like Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro was made without disturbing the annual Public Sector Development Program while maintenance and upgradation of the M-2 Motorway is also mandatory.
The government is also planning to link Rawat with the M-2 Motorway to provide an alternative route to Rawalpindi and Islamabad while another plan is on the anvil to construct an overhead bridge and a bypass at Bhara Kahu to facilitate the commuters heading towards Murree. The prime minister said that separate terminals will be constructed for international and domestic flights at the Lahore Airport. The PML-N government always gives priority to the rail and road infrastructure, but it should also ensure the quality of work as corruption has been institutionalized, especially in the construction projects. The prime minister said that the project of Kashmir Highway was overdue since long and stressed accountability of those officials who are responsible for the delay in the project. He said that scandals of corruption will not be tolerated in the development projects.
Earlier, the government had planned and executed various mega projects in Lahore and Karachi to meet the transportation requirement of the growing population. The industrial development of the country is linked with mega construction projects which must be launched in other cities of the country to not only boost infrastructure, but also industrial development. Money should always remain in running mode and the government should discourage savings and encourage investment in the industrial sector. Town planning and road construction is a major industry all over the world. The country’s builders can bid for the international projects on the basis of home experience. Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis are working in foreign companies at meager salaries who can participate in the country’s development by working in Pakistani companies abroad.
