ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan Thursday informed the Upper House of the Parliament that metro project for new Islamabad International Airport will be completed by the end of the current year.
He was responding to calling attention notice of Senator Mohsin Aziz on non-availability of public transport facility to the new Islamabad International Airport causing access issues for the general public.
The minster said previous government had started metro project with twenty million rupees, however, due to lack of funds the project could not be completed on time.
He said the inquiry is being conducted to investigate the award of contract since the signs of corruption were also found in this project.
He said the construction work of the airport was started on May 6, 2006, however, it was made operational in 2018 without completion of the work.
There has been a cost escalation of 100 million rupees in the project, but the quality of construction work remained substandard, the minister said.
However, National Accountability Bureau is investigating the matter after Supreme Court’s notice.
“We admit, there are flaws and lacunas in the project and we will do our best to remove all those flaws in our time,” he gave assurance to the House.
Towards the issue of access for the traffic coming Peshawar, the minister replied that the National Highway Authority (NHA) has been requested in written to either construct a bridge or underpass or to provide a loop for the traffic coming from Peshawar on Islamabad international airport.
He said a U-turn at the site of old toll plaza is being provided for the traffic coming from Peshawar on new Islamabad international airport.