NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY organised stakeholders’ consultation on ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF PUNJAB FOR YEAR 2004 – 5. All this was managed under the new vision, approved by the Chief Executive, under which NHA is viewing its assets of highways as a service and business. The vision states that:

NHA must grow into an efficient service provider to road users in Pakistan for safe and comfortable travel on National Highways and Motorways. From an expansion phase it must transition into a consolidation phase and seek to maintain its road assets exceeding Rs 600 billion.

1. NHA looks after the total length of 8885 kilometres of which 2165 kilometres is in Punjab. This was explained to the highway users representing various walks of life who had gathered at a local hotel on 25 May to express their views on the maintenance plan. Participants included road users representing cargo truck owners & operators, intercity and local buses companies, private vehicle owners, public service vehicles owners and drivers, emergency and repair services representatives and stakeholders from media, academia, insurance, consultants, govt departments, business men, students, NGOs and others.

2. Proceedings of the day began with recitation from Holy Quran by Mr. Abdul Salam Arif of ARUP – NWFP. This was followed by presentation of procedural details by Cdr (R) Asif J Khawaja who was the anchor person of the consultation process. In the first session participants were briefed about the organisation, its working and details about various road repair procedures.

3. First presentation on the working of NHA was given by Director Planning Mr Shahid Iqbal he in detail explained the importance of highways for Pakistan, details of highways in each province, planning procedure, ongoing major works on highways, planned activities for next few years and a bird’s eye view of financial details about all these activities. In his address he emphasized on the importance of public private sector partnership and economic effects of roads on the community.

4. He was followed on the rostrum by Mr Faisal Mustafa AD Maintenance and Monitoring who presented working details about types of repairs, importance of continuing repair activities and the financial break up of ongoing repair works in Punjab. Details of toll collection ant its utilisation on repair, safety works now being undertaken by NHA on all highways and problems experienced during repair and safety works were presented.

5. Col Javed then presented details about National Highway Improvement Programme to the participants. He talked about state of highways before start of this programme, works executed in this and under rehabilitation project. Savings by road users due improvement in roughness and better surface of highways and availability of reduced rates toll passes for regular travellers were highlighted. Details about some important highway improvement and rehabilitation projects were shared with the stakeholders for presenting the correct details and building confidence on NHA works.

6. Environment and the working of this section of NHA were then presented by Mr Mushtaq Khakwani, Director Environment. Participants were told about the procedure of obtaining NOC from PAK – EPA under the new environment act and the commitment of NHA to ensure that all its road projects are environment friendly. Present procedure of paying compensation, alternate space and facilities to families disturbed during the process of highway improvement and expansion was explained.

7. These presentations explaining working and system of NHA were followed by two detailed presentations on works planned for the fiscal year 204 - 05 by respective Directors Maintenance Punjab North and South. Mr Abdul Aziz Langah presented the details about all on going activities and works planned for the next year on highways in the northern half of Punjab while Mr Mushtaq presented the same details about Punjab south, his area of responsibility.

8. Last presentation was given by the event coordinator Cdr (R) Asif J Khawaja on present sate of highway safety, urgent steps needed to improve the same, cultural change required to create awareness amongst all road users on considering and remembering safety while using roads and highways. In the second part of his talk the present procedure of recording an accident and difficulties experienced due non availability of proper accident handling equipment, patient evacuation, transportation and treatment system were discussed.

9. During the second part of the consultation process participants clarified their concerns through questions to all the speakers. Stakeholders were then requested to present their group and individual views on the four subjects covered in the earlier presentations of Maintenance, Safety, Environment and Programme delivery.

10. In the end General Manager Punjab Chaudhry Khalid Naeem expressed his gratitude for all the stakeholders for participating in this programme, appreciating the tough works of road planning, monitoring and maintaining and especially for giving their valuable views on the proposed annual development and maintenance plan for the year 2004 – 05. He thanked all the road users, presenters, organisers and especially the firms who had displayed their products and publications at the venue.

11. Following give away items were distributed amongst all participants –
a. Highways MAP of Pakistan and Punjab
b. Brochure of NHA with all working details prepared especially for this activity
c. Traffic signs leaflet.

All participating stakeholders expressed their appreciation on this initiative taken by NHA in establishing direct contact with its road users. Most of them were satisfied with the details presented to them and desired that this process must continue not only for the development and maintenance plan but also for all road projects. They were of the view that such direct contacts with stakeholders will further improve the image of NHA.

This activity for NHA was organised by ARUP through its Lahore office. ARUP is the only road sector NGO working for all road related matters through its offices in ten cities of Pakistan. Motto of ARUP is: SAFER HIGHWAYS – PROSPEROUS NATION

Details about ARUP are available at www.pakroadusers.com or by email to arupisbd@hotmail.com
Thanking you,

Asif J. Khawaja
ARUP
0300 8544 056