The Peshawar District Administration has established a special committee to address the hurdles hindering the completion of the Peshawar-Torkham Expressway project. The committee, chaired by National Assembly member Shandana Gulzar, is tasked with investigating the challenges and is expected to submit a detailed report within 72 hours, according to sources on August 20.
This expressway is a significant 47-kilometer, four-lane roadway that is expected to cost a total of USD 460 million. The World Bank has committed USD 360 million to the project, with the remaining amount being funded by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
Commissioner Peshawar, Riaz Khan Mehsud, emphasized the strategic importance of the Peshawar-Torkham Expressway for the region. This crucial infrastructure project, also referred to as the Southern Link Road (SLR), is set to improve connectivity between Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics (CARs).
Once completed, the expressway is anticipated to boost trade and economic activity between these regions. The expressway will begin at Tarnab Farm in Peshawar, traverse through the Badhaber area, and eventually extend to the Torkham border crossing.
However, progress on the expressway has faced significant delays due to land acquisition issues. These problems pertain to cemeteries, business establishments, and farmland that is situated along the suggested path. To address these matters, several meetings have been held over the past 10 days. However, a resolution has yet to be reached.
The newly formed committee comprises key officials and representatives from the local community. Their mission is to resolve the pending issues, engage with the affected communities, and gain public support for the project. In addition, the committee plans to visit the site soon to assess the situation firsthand.
Commissioner Mehsud underscored the administration’s commitment to ensuring the project’s timely completion. He reiterated that the expressway will play a vital role in enhancing trade and reducing traffic congestion in Peshawar. The government remains focused on overcoming challenges and accelerating progress on this key infrastructure initiative.
