By Our Special Correspondent
ISLAMABAD : National Highway Authority NHA is all set to misuse its authority. The Authority is planning to construct a multi story residential complex at junction of M1 and M2 in Islamabad.
According to details NHA board was presented a proposal to build multi-story residentail complex on land acquired for Motor M1 and M2 loop.
The proposed land is 115 kanals at the junction of M1 and M2, Which is a serious violation of the land acquisition Act 1894,under which the land was acquired for construction of roads and Motorways. The land acquisition laws stipulate that the land acquired under law can only be utilized for the intended purpose.
Hence the land acquired for the construction of Motorways can only be used for future extension of Motorways. In case of any expansion of the Motorway, if the need arise in future NHA would not have any space for further expansion.
The proposed residential project on the ROW is in contravention of Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet ECC direction not to utilized any commercial or residential purposes. The proposed project may result serious safety issues for the commuting traffic.
Further NHA is also sit to finance the scheme from its roads maintenance account (RMA) which is clear cut violations of the RMA rules. It is mentioned here that the RMA funds can be used for maintenance and rehabilitation of its country wide roads network.
It is interesting to note that NHA is in such a hurry to resort to direct contracting to under PPRA rules which seems to be illogical and exhibit bad intention on the part Authority.
Some sane elements in the NHA on the condition of anonymity requested that the matter may be bring in the notice of Prime Minister of Pakistan and concerned authorities to stop NHA to pursue this ill-conceived project.
The RMA account from which NHA wants to finance the Scheme not allows such expenditures.
NHA is a body corporate in terms of NHA act 1991, with objective to develop safe and efficient transportation and communication network in the country for promotion of social, economic and strategic development.
The financial plan is envisaged in term of bridge financing from RMA funds that will finance the project.
According to report NHA paid Rs.360/million annually to over 900 employees for house requisition. This project initially planned for 50% employees.The returns of the bridge financing to RMA would require about 20 years.
