THATTA: Federal Minister for Planning and Development (P&D) Prof Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday visited Thatta along with Sindh’s P&D Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister for Prisons Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, MNA Sadiq Ali Memon and Thatta District Council Chairman Abdul Hameed Panhwar to inspect the site of the Sindh Coastal Highway Phase-II.

Prof Iqbal and Nasir Shah initiated the second phase by levelling the land at the site.

Nasir Shah and officials of the provincial Works & Services Department briefed the federal minister on the project’s potential to connect remote coastal communities with urban centres and unlocking untapped economic opportunities.

The federal minister also inspected the Keti Bunder Road, a vital link built to improve connectivity for coastal communities.

Prof Iqbal hailed the collaboration between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and described their efforts under the Charter of Democracy a model of prioritising people’s welfare at national level. “While we may differ politically, we stand united on national issues,” he remarked, and emphasised the need for constructive dialogue and collective efforts to foster harmony.

According to an official handout, Ahsan Iqbal also called on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at CM House in Karachi on Tuesday to discuss the remaining work on the coastal highway project and 20 other projects pending with the Federal Planning Commission for want of approval / authorisation.

It was decided at the meeting that the coastal highway would be made an economic corridor as it was connected with all the highways leading to Keti Bandar, Karachi and upcountry.

Ahsan Iqbal stated that the Makran Coastal Highway was built about 25 years ago, but it had not become an economic corridor. He stressed that road projects should not only serve as sources of public transport, but should also evolve into economic zones.

The CM said that the coastal highway had significant potential for economic activities. He said that the highway would provide clear access for goods transport to Karachi.

The Sindh Coastal Highway, which spans a total length of 279 kilometres, begins at N5 in Gharo in Thatta district and extends to Ali Bunder in Badin district. The project was initiated by Sindh government in 2007 as part of the Annual Development Programme (ADP). Due to financial constraints, it was decided that the project would be completed in phases. The Phase-II covers 37 kilometres, starting from the National Highway (N-5) near Gharo. This portion has been constructed in the financial year 2023-24.

An additional 11km section is currently under construction, which was started in the last quarter of 2023 and will be completed within the next five years.

This phase entails a further 36km section, extending the road from 11kms to 47kms, beginning at Gadajo- Jhapolo Dhand.

The scheme is currently under revision due to hyperinflation and the release of NHA CSR 2024. Construction will commence after the approval of the revised PC-I.

The CM discussed various provincial projects with Prof Iqbal that have been pending revision for the past two years. These projects include the construction of eastern sewerage treatment plants and expansion of the southern treatment plant as part of the Hyderabad Package.

The federal minister assured the CM that their authorisation would be issued shortly.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2024