NHA Faces Criticism Over the Condition of N-65 Highway: What Travellers Should Know
This week’s news may not come as a surprise to those who have used the Sukkur Road to Quetta. A parliamentary committee has refuted National Highway Authority (NHA) assertion that N-65 is in a satisfactory state. Here’s what actually happened, and what you should do if you travel on it.
What Did the Committee Say?
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communication has criticised an NHA report, which characterized the N-65 as satisfactory. Members reported the highway to be in bad shape. NHA Chairman Asadullah Khan was asked questions for delays in main projects such as Sukkur-Shikarpur section of N-65 and Dera Murad Jamali Bypass.
What Did the NHA Admit?
It was found that its evidence was incorrect. MNA Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar highlighted the poor condition of Sukkur-Shikarpur Road and its frequent accidents. The committee considered the NHA and NHA Member (Sindh) responses as less satisfactory. The NHA chief executive said he admitted that a mistake had been made, and the images presented to the committee were not what was on the scene.
What did the Committee order?
It directed the NHA’s Member (Sindh) to get in touch with the MNA and visit the affected area with him and submit a full report at the coming meeting. Additionally, the committee instructed NHA to immediately appoint a competent General Manager at Sukkur. It spoke worried over the scarcity of staff members in NHA’s province of Balochistan especially due to the longitude of the roads.
What if this was a bigger issue?
According to the committee, it is. In an official question on roads that get “slimed down” shortly after being built members faulted lack of planning, lack of technical trials and inferior building. They directed the NHA to look for projects that were given without proper surveys, soil tests, load assessments and feasibility studies. This is a waste of taxes, they said.
Has This Happened Before?
The committee halted the operations of NHA General Manager Sultan Abro in September and initiated inquiry into the repair work worth Rs550m in Shikarpur-Sukkur stretch of N-65, considered faulty.
Why Does the N-65 Matter?
It is a 385 km super highway which connects Sukkur and Quetta through Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Sibi. It is the route of heavy traffic of goods as well as passengers between Sindh and Balochistan. Bad roads impact trucks, buses and everyday people.
Conclusion
The committee has specifically requested the NHA for facts, not pictures. Because reports are not received, drivers on the N-65 should drive carefully, inspect their vehicles and take extra time.
