ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister for communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed National Highway Authority to prepare a design for motorway between Mansehra and Chilas.
He said this new route passing through Mansehra, Naran ,Jalkhad and Chilas will serve as alternative route to Karakoram Highway till boarder of China.
He said, new avenues of tourism trade and defence will be opened by upgrading the northern areas.
This was disclosed by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan while chairing a high level meeting of National Highway Authority in which important decisions were made to improve connectivity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Northern Areas.
The meeting held a detailed review of the plan to construct a new four-lane N-15 Highway which will be meeting international standards to provide best trade cooridore. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said that the N-15 project would be a unique and revolutionary initiative in terms of requirements of present era and future demands.
He added that compared to the existing Karakoram Highway, this route would significantly reduce travel distance and time while the new road would be so wide and high-quality that a speed limit of 60 to 80 kilometres per hour could easily be maintained.
He further stated that the Highway from Mansehra to Chilas would remain accessible throughout the year, reducing travel difficulties and greatly enhancing winter tourism in the Northern Areas, as well.
Abdul Aleem Khan directed that the project be designed according to international standards in the broader national interest as it would have far-reaching positive effects on the communication network in the Northern Areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said that the N-15 project would bring a significant positive change to the lives of the people of the Northern Areas. Assigning tasks to NHA officers, he instructed that planning for resorts, hotels, lake-view points and shopping areas alongside the Highway should also be undertaken to boost tourism and economic activity in the region.
He added that wherever technically feasible, this Highway N-15 should be constructed as a two-way of four-lane road. Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan directed that the feasibility and other assessment reports of the N-15 project be finalised immediately.
He said the efforts will be made to complete the project within two years as this Highway could eventually serve as a safe commercial corridor providing access to Central Asia in the future. During the meeting, the Secretary Communications, Chairman NHA and other officers briefed the Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan in detail and highlighted various aspects of the project of N-15.
