PRESS RELEASE N0: JPNEMPAK 11-15

Islamabad: 22 March, 2011

The Government of Japan granted approx. US$ 49 million (4,155 million-yen) for improvement of Kararo-Wadh Section of National Highway N-25 in Balochistan. The project, initiated in November 2006, is completed on 15th March 2011. The National Highway N-25 is an important link road with a total length of 813 km that connects Karachi to Chaman via Quetta. As this route links Afghanistan and neighboring inland countries to the port of Karachi by the shortest route, the importance of N-25 has grown significantly.
Transport is an important sector in any economy. In Pakistan, road transport accounts for 89 per cent of passenger traffic and 96 per cent of the freight traffic. It is therefore of great significance that the road network should not only be maintained but also be widened and rehabilitated. Before the initiation of the project, the 96 km road between Kararo and Wadh was very narrow, had poor visibility, steep inclines and sharp curves that drastically slowed down the progress of large vehicles. Keeping the safety of people in mind, it has now been widened to a specified width of 7.3 m. The road shoulders have also been extended by 2m on both sides. The improved situation of the road has now reduced the risk of dangerous driving conditions, ensuring a safe and smooth thoroughfare in the concerned section by averting obstruction of traffic due to accidents or the collapse of antiquated infrastructures.
Mr. Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, after hearing their report, praised the contractor Taisei Corporation, the consultants Ingerosec Corporation and Nippon Koei Co., Ltd for their tremendous efforts to complete the difficult project after 4 years of toil. He also appreciated National Highway Authority (NHA) and Frontier Corps (FC) for their cooperation to keep the security situation feasible for the contractor.
He further expressed hope that this project would help in the economic upliftment of the targeted area and bring enormous long term economic benefits to the entire country.