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NHA Awards Contracts for Three Packages of Zhob-Quetta Highway
By Tahir Ali
Oct 27, 2023
The National Highway Authority (NHA) has awarded contracts to a joint venture of local construction companies, for the dualisation of three significant packages of the Zhob-Quetta (Kuchlak) National Highway (N-50).
This particular highway holds crucial significance as it forms an essential component of the Western Route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to the NHA’s notification on October 25, the Dualization of the Kuchlak-Zhob Section of N-50 Package-I, spanning 65 kilometers between Zhob and Tangi, has been awarded to SMC-ACE (JV), which emerged as the first lowest bidder during the bidding process. The contract has been awarded for Rs. 7.34 billion.
As per another notification from NHA, the contract for Package II, covering the stretch from KM 65+000 to 130+000 between Tangi and Qila Saifullah, has been awarded to SMC-ACE (JV).
The contract was awarded for Rs. 7.88 billion, as they were the first lowest bidder in the bidding process.
According to the recent notification, the contract for Package III, encompassing the section from Km 130+000 to 180+000 between Qila Saifullah and Nasai, has been awarded to SMC.
SMC secured this contract as the first lowest bidder during the bidding process. Notably, SMC is the sole winning bidder for this package and does not have any joint venture as per the notification.
As per the notifications by NHA, the estimated completion period for all three packages, as per the contracts, is 36 months.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved distinct PC-Is for the construction and land acquisition of the project on March 28, 2019, while the very next day the groundbreaking ceremony for this pivotal CPEC connectivity project was performed.
N-50 commences at Kuchlak to the North of Quetta, extending eastward via the urban areas of Muslim Bagh, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, and Mughal Kot, ultimately connecting with the Indus Highway near Dera Ismail Khan.
This highway serves as a vital road link between the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), passing through pivotal locations including Bostan, Khanozai, Qila Saifullah, Gwal Haidazai Post, Mina Bazar, Zhob, Mughal Kot, Daraban, and Dera Ismail Khan.
The Kuchlak-Zhob section of N-50 is set to be upgraded as a four-lane dual carriageway, incorporating geometric improvements.
The proposed 4-lane facility is expected to significantly contribute to the economic and social development of Balochistan, Central Punjab, and KP by extending benefits to a larger population.
This development is anticipated to bring about a transformation in the social fabric of the communities residing along this corridor.