ISLAMABAD - A China Pakistan Economic Corridor’s (CPEC) stalled project of the dualisation of the Kuchlak-Zhob has now back on track as the Islamabad High Court (IHC) recently dismissed three petitions of different contractors, who challenged the bidding process.
The said project is a part of CPEC’s western alignment that was planned to be completed on the existing alignment of a section of N-50 with geometric improvements. The total length of the project is 331km in which existing two lanes would be converted into 4 lanes while 100m wide right of way is planned as well to upgrade it to the 6 lanes in future.
The project was divided into five packages by the National Highway Authority (NHA) for its early completion however the work on three out of total five packages could not be initiated because some aggrieved contractors got the restraining orders from the Islamabad High Court against the bidding process.
M/s SKB-ZCC-MASSCON JV, M/S SMC-ACE JV and M/S SMADB-SHAHRUKH-MBC JV have challenged the bidding process and taken different pleas in three separate writ petitions.
The NHA legal wing have played well in the case and contended before the court that the writ petitions before Islamabad High Court are not maintainable because the reservations of the contractors are being considered in Grievance Redressal Committee as per law.
The court after hearing both the parties, without going into the merits of the case decided to dismiss the petitions by declaring them non-maintainable. The court ruled that efficacious remedy of grievance redressal committee is available to the petitioners.
The court observes that it is expected that the Grievance Redressal Committee shall render its findings on the grievances of all petitioners expeditiously.
“Since the petitions are being decided on the basis of maintainability, no finding is being rendered as to the merit of the case”, the order stated. It is pertinent to mention here that the instant project was facing delays from the last many months just because of a stay order granted by the court and now chances emerge that the project would get started soon.