Upgradation Of N-70 Section Will Be Done On BOT Basis

ISLAMABAD, (Muzaffargarh.City -21st Sept,2016) : National Highway Authority (NHA) plans to undertake the upgradation and dualization of Multan- Muzaffargarh-D.G. Khan Section of Multan-Qilla Saifullah Highway (N-70) on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis.

An official of NHA told APP on Wednesday that the NHA invited bids for undertaking upgradation and dualization of Multan- Muzaffargarh – D.G. Khan Section of N-70 and a Concession Agreement has been finalized.

He said once the Concession Agreement is signed, the construction work shall be commenced after achievement of Financial Close by the Concessionaire. He said that the project construction period will be 24 months from achievement of financial close.

Its total length is 447 kilometres divided into 181 kilometres in Balochistan and the remaining 266 kilometres in the Punjab.

The N-70 running in the centre of the country, links the Eastern and Western areas and connects provinces of Balochistan and Punjab and acts as the shortest route between Wagah and Taftan through Lahore and Quetta.

He said that the widening and strengthening of 11.6 km Rakhi Gajj-Bewata section of the N-70 was also being done. The official said that with the improvement of this link the East-West corridor will be shortened by about 200 kms.

The project would contribute towards safe and effective transportation, especially heavy vehicles and enhance the socio- economic environment of the entire area.