ISLAMABAD: National Highway Authority (NHA) has planned to provide analternate route to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by building a216 kilometre road linking Gilgit with Shandoor.
Talking to APP, an official of NHA Wednesday said the project would be partof the Gilgit-Shandoor-Chitral road and would provide an alternative routeto the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Karakoram Highway section.
The official said new road will be an all-weather road and during thewinter season be very useful. Moreover, it will provide another route toChitral other than the Lowari Tunnel.
In the 6th JCC of CPEC held in 2016, it was agreed to include Chitral CPECroad from Gilgit, Shandoor, Chitral to Chakdara in CPEC portfolio.
He said the road starts from Gilgit town located on Indus Highway and endsat Chitral town located at Nowshera-Chitral Highway (N-45).
He said the feasibility study of 148 km Shandoor-Chitral section hasalready been completed whereas the process of feasibility study andpreliminary design of the remaining 216 km section Gilgit-Shandoor were onthe anvil.
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About the present condition of the road, he said it was constructed in 2002by the provincial government but its sharp curves and steep gradient makemovement of traffic difficult and unsuitable for heavy traffic.
About the objectives of the project, he said that it would connectadjoining areas and valleys, will help boost tourism and create new jobopportunities for local residents.
The project will provide better communication system to the people of thearea and after completion of Lowari tunnel, this road shall serve as analternate to Karakorum Highway and create new job opportunities for localresidents.
