Work on Lakpass Tunnel project to be completed soon

Islamabad: Construction work of Lakpass Tunnel costing Rs 928 million in Mastung district of Balochistan is in full swing and the project is likely to be completed soon.

The Lakpass Tunnel, about 27 kilometres from Quetta would form an important part of National Trade Corridor (NTC). It is being constructed by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) at a cost of Rs 928 million. The tunnel will connect Quetta with Iran through Quetta-Noshki-Taftan Highway (N-40) and Karachi through Karachi-Khuzdar-Quetta-Chaman Highway (N-25).

A source in Ministry of Communications said that 'Completion of the Lakpass Tunnel project will not only facilitate trade activities inside the country but also with the Central Asian Republics and better business opportunities will also be available to the locals'.

He further said the project comprises construction of a 180-metre long tunnel and four-and-a-half kilometre link road. The FWO is constructing three lanes tunnel on build- operate-transfer (BOT) basis, which is NHA's first major project, the source said.

He said that the project also includes 7.3 metres wide approach road with three-metre shoulders to the tunnel and rehabilitation of the existing road to 7.3-metre width and 3.0-metre shoulders following the existing alignment to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

At present, Lakpass is considered a weak link on N-25 and N-40 leading to Iran and Afghanistan and then to Central Asian States. The gradient of the existing Lakpass crossing is 15 percent and as a result the vehicles creep up at a snail's pace. The problem of steep gradient is aggravated by sharp blind curves.

'On completion, it will provide safe and efficient crossing with improved gradients and elimination of curves, reduce accidents and will save the travel time', he stated. The project will also provide employment opportunities and generate economic activity in the area, the source said.