Islamabad - National Highway Authority has sought applications for consultancy services for design review and construction supervision of remodelling of Rawalpindi-Kahuta road including a four-lane bridge over Sihala Railway Pass, Sihala Bypass and Kahuta Bypass.

An official of the NHA said that the authority intended to tap a consultancy firm to carry out design review and construction supervision for remodelling of the 28.4 kilometres Rawalpindi-Kahuta road including a four-lane bridge over Sihala Railway Pass, Sihala Bypass and Kahuta Bypass.

He said that pre-proposal conference about the project would be held on February 23. The proposals in sealed envelopes should reach on March 8. The technical proposals shall be opened on the same day, whereas financial proposals of only technically-qualified firms shall be opened after finalisation of technical evaluation, he said.

Former premier Mian Nawaz Sharif while addressing a public gathering at Kahuta in November 2016 had made announcement about the project and directed the concerned departments and executing agencies to prepare and furnish feasibility reports and cost estimates of the project. Rawalpindi-Kahuta road is the shortest link for the traffic coming from Rawlakot (AJK) to Islamabad, Rawalpindi and northern region. In Sihala, at railway crossing, the traffic remains chocked due to railway traffic. Besides, there is high traffic volume including oil cargo vehicle from N-5 Humak road junction to Sihala. There is another obstruction near Kahuta, where steep slope creates problems for loaded vehicles.

To reduce the huge transportation cost for heavy traffic and to save agricultural products and other perishable items which spoil before reaching their destinations due to traffic jams and poor road condition, remodelling of the road is necessary, the official said.