Construction work on Lowari tunnel to start in 3 months time says President Musharraf
Peshawar, Pakistan | 10 Jun, 2003

President General Pervez Musharraf Tuesday declared in categorical terms that construction work on much debated Lowari tunnel would commence within coming three to four months time.

He made this announcement while addressing a gathering held to inaugurate Kohat Tunnel in Kohat. The President said, he would perform the ground breaking ceremony of the Lowari tunnel project and expressed optimism that it would be completed in four years time.

He hoped that like the Kohat tunnel project, Lowari tunnel would also be completed before its stipulated period with the cooperation and assistance of the Japanese government. The expertise and experience gathered by the engineers of National Highway Authority (NHA) in the execution of Kohat tunnel project, would be utilized in the construction of Lowari tunnel.

He told the gathering the government was aware of the importance of the communication infrastructure as it played a key role in the socio economic development, and poverty alleviation.

President Musharraf said, there was no dearth of funds for the execution of development projects, however, the development funds have to be used honestly and judiciously. "Spending Rs. 5 or 6 billion on project like Kohat tunnel carries no significance, the only thing which matter is sincerity and will to do", however, he opined if it were misused then it is a colossal waste of national resources.

"No matter, if you spent Rs.50 or 100 billion on development projects if it brings socio economic benefits to common man", President Musharraf told.

Massive urbanisation on national highway like N 5 (G.T road), President Musharraf said, was adversely affecting the fertile agriculture lands besides creating traffic hazards on the road. He said, the lopsided urbanisation alongside the highways is shrinking the precious agriculture lands. In order to rectify the situation, the President called for diversification to lessen congestion on the national highways.

Referring to a point raised by Governor NWFP in his address, the President directed NHA to look into possibility of construction of Khushal Garh Bridge on Pindi Kohat road. The President also mentioned about road projects in northern areas which including Gilgit Astore Chelum road, and Chilas Gilgit Chitral via Shandur. These projects would open up northern areas to the tourists. He was highly appreciative of the National Highway Authority in the development of communication infrastructure of the country.

He told the gathering that these projects would only yield benefit to the country, when Pakistan has harmonious relations with other countries. Pakistan, he said, could not survive in a vacuum and it has conducted itself smoothly in the present day global society.

In this regard, the President underscored the need for internal stability and a pragmatic approach in foreign relations, otherwise, he warned, all the efforts taken to divert the international trade through Pakistan would prove futile.
http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/PRPresidentDirectiveDetail.aspx?nPRPresidentDirectiveId=113&nYear=2003&nMonth=6

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/kt10208/Internet/Pix02-01.jpg
A view of northern site of Lowari tunnel as work on the project continues in 3 shifts in sub-zero condition. - Photo by Saifur Rehman Aziz


:banana::banana:
As usual Mushy delivers! :cheers:

wowowowow

That would be a tough one

this is a good project... how long is this tunnel....??

any more info on it

This is what i get from wiki

"The Lowari Tunnel is an 8.6km (5.3 mi.) long road tunnel located in the NWFP province of Pakistan.

The planned tunnel, which will cut through the Lowari Pass, was originally conceived in the 1970s. Work on the tunnel originally began in 1974. However, then-president Zia-ul-Haq stopped construction due to political reasons. As of September 2005 the tunnel work has restarted. On July 8th 2006, President Pervez Musharraf officially inaugurated the Lowari Tunnel, the completion of which is expected in 2008.

The tunnel will reportedly reduce the current 14-hour drive from Chitral to Peshawar by half. Moreover, people of Chitral have to travel from Afghanistan and then enter back in Pakistan during the winter season as Lowari top is closed for any traffic for most part of the year. Chitral remains virtually inaccessible in the winter, the tunnel will also facilitate all-weather transportation. Some Chitrali natives are concerned about the impact the potentially increased tourism will have on the region.

A South Korean construction company, SAMBU has been assigned the work on the tunnel. It is expected to be completed sometime in the year 2008 at a cost of Rs.8 billion ($133 million US). Currently the work progress is being looked after by GM NHA, Mr. Salman Rashid. Salman Rashid is a retired Lt. Col. of Pakistan Army, he belonged to the corp of Engineers. He had been a part of various construction projects all over Pakistan."

Moreover, people of Chitral have to travel from Afghanistan and then enter back in Pakistan during the winter season

:ohno:

Thats good news. After the completion of this tunnel, they won't have to go Afghanistan.

I am not sure that reducing the 14hr journey by half is a correct statement. I have travelled to chitral via the lowari pass and seen where the tunnel starts.

Its true that it will make chitral accessible all year round since it starts right before the sudden and steep ascend to the lowari pass(which is 10,000 ft and inaccessible during winter). It will also cut the journey time by road since you do not have to zigzag and climb the pass and descend but saying that it will cut the time by 7 hrs is an overstatement.

I took some pics of the tunnel(which are ofcourse older than this), I will if I can find them and post here.

Most of the reduction in travel time will be because they are also paving the road on both sides which will significantly reduce the travel time. Taking that into account, the 7hr reduction in time looks more appropriate but not just because of the tunnel.

But during the summer times, I guess lowari pass will still be an attraction as you zigzag your way to the top and then descend to this road-side hotel beside a river/stream.(thats where we had lunch).

Interesting... need more pics and map of new tunnel please

^^ You are Sanaji's brother.

hope the project complete's before the winter 2008 so the people dont lose another year of hybernation from the rest of the country

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/kt10208/Development/2e0ba66f005a77b32f0ecc7f9e066561.jpg

^^ Its assuring to see the workers wearing hard hats and reflector jackets :)

cool... 7 kms completed out of total 8.6...

this will turn out to be a very usefull project..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2692801821_b8f803b672_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/2692777241_ee5b1a0a5d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2692658069_9fbf7d2799_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2693456366_c0e7280975_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3169/2693456544_65fc35c3a7_b.jpg

The guy on the 2nd left is wearing shalwar kamiz :ohno:

They are doing hard way.....

Why couldn't they use:

http://www.sara-tx.org/site/flood_control/SACIP/sacip_images/tbm_2.gif

http://www.portofmiamitunnel.com/Images/Boring-Machine.jpg

Maybe coz they are EXPENSIVE!

Maybe coz they are EXPENSIVE!

Possibly..

This drilling often used in Dubai and Iran.

Bright, these pics seem to be private? Where did you get them from?

Bright, these pics seem to be private? Where did you get them from?

they are from this guys' flickr album
http://flickr.com/photos/16901703@N06/page2/

Brighty..you should have respected the cc license and given him credit for the pics.

I could have sworn I credited him in that post :sly:

I think I got a 500 internal error while trying to post that which is why I forgot to credit on the second copy/paste run. You can check my recent posts, I always credit when I know the source.

Bright, these pics seem to be private? Where did you get them from?
I'm sure you typed that message on a pirated copy of Windows...

I'm sure you typed that message on a pirated copy of Windows...

:lol: :lol: :lol:

MoDs are requested to change the title of the thread specially the name of the city

:?

MoDs are requested to change the title of the thread specially the name of the city

:nuts: :nuts: :nuts:

??

MoDs are requested to change the title of the thread specially the name of the city

... to Shaheed Mohatarma Benazir Bhutto :?

coz the name in of this project is on page 1 is lawari rail tunnel and city name is chitral :)

its called "lowari tunnel" and its not in chitral. Its like half way between dir and chitral and cannot be attributed to either town.

you could write "Dir-Chitral: Lowari Tunnel Project".
What do you say?

its called "lowari tunnel" and its not in chitral. Its like half way between dir and chitral and cannot be attributed to either town.

as wish sir coz i was just giving the ref. from the pic to change the title :)

as wish sir coz i was just giving the ref. from the pic to change the title :)
thats stupid journalism at its best...if we were to follow them, Islamabad progress thread should be renamed as "Federal Capital City: progress and updates".

thats stupid journalism at its best...if we were to follow them, Islamabad progress thread should be renamed as "Federal Capital City: progress and updates".

:laugh:

Lets do it! For the kicks!! :laugh:

what if car break in the middle of tunnel?

is there emergency support?

thats stupid journalism at its best...if we were to follow them, Islamabad progress thread should be renamed as "Federal Capital City: progress and updates".
And three Provincial Capital threads!

what if car break in the middle of tunnel?

is there emergency support?

why do you always think negatively?:ohno:

what if car break in the middle of tunnel?

is there emergency support?

I think everything else will break if your car breaks down in the middle of a tunnel.

why do you always think negatively?:ohno:

negatively?

Now come on.. All major projects consider what are the risks and HOW to solve it.

I am not sure if this tunnel have any risks planning..

Would mobile phone work in this tunnel? what if you need to call for emergency.

If your car broke down in the middle of tunnel - would this effect other vehicle and block the tunnel?


Don't forget this tunnel is very long..

negatively?

Now come on.. All major projects consider what are the risks and HOW to solve it.

I am not sure if this tunnel have any risks planning..

Would mobile phone work in this tunnel? what if you need to call for emergency.

If your car broke down in the middle of tunnel - would this effect other vehicle and block the tunnel?


Don't forget this tunnel is very long..
They may have a service lane coz it's too long (like the channel tunnel), and something like a fire in there can have disastrous results. Haven't read anything about it though, but since it's being made by a foreign contractor (IIRC), I'd expect them to not overlook it.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008
CHITRAL.

The first phase of digging the tunnel of Lowari rail tunnel project will be completed in the first week of December this year and will be opened for the public in the forthcoming winter after the closure of Lowari Pass for the season as a result of heavy snowfall. Talking to the local newsmen on the occasion of Eid Milan party here on Monday, district nazim Chitral Maghfirat Shah said that the completion of the first phase of the project will be an historical day in the history of Chitral which will be celebrated as ‘thanks giving’ day. He said that the day will be declared a public holiday in the district and programmes will be arranged in Drosh, Chitral city and Booni. He said that preparations have been started by the district government to celebrate the day in befitting manner. He said that the second phase of the project will commence soon but as a dire need of the local people, the tunnel will be used to transport the passengers on either side. He said that the in the previous years, Chitralis used to travel through the Kunar province of Afghanistan and Mohmand Agency in the winter season due to the closure of Lowari Pass but it will not possible due to the volatile situation both in Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan. He said that the National Highway Authority (NHA) high-ups have agreed to facilitate the passengers through the under construction tunnel after the completion of its first phase. He said that the NHA buses will make shuttle service inside the tunnel to transpose the passengers on either side. The frequency of the trip may be only two daily to avoid any disturbance to the ongoing work on the second phase. He said that the residents of Chitral were quite worried about the winter season this year due to the tense situation in Mohmand and Bajaur agencies and the Kunar province of Afghanistan.

CHITRAL, 09 Oct 08: Lowari tunnel is expected to make ends meet by mid December and as a temporary make do arrangement, twice weekly Bus shuttle service will transport travelers through the tunnel during closure of the pass.

Talking to CN, project director Lowari Tunnel project Engr Abdul Samad said, after the basic tunneling is through, the NHA would acquire coasters to shuttle through the tunnel two days per week ferrying a total of 1000 passengers on each day totaling 2000 passengers per week.

He said incase of shortage of essential supplies during the pass closure period, convoys of trucks carrying such stuff would be allowed to pass through the tunnel at particular times halting the construction work.

Chitralis are thrilled at the very thought of not being stranded these winters --(CN report)

Lawari Rail Tunnel in progress
by G. H. Farooqui

Record work of excavation of Lawari Rail Tunnel in the month of March, 2008.

CHITRAL: The ongoing work of excavation of Lawari Rail Tunnel is in progress. As the SAMBO (a Korean construction company) excavated some half kilometer long tunnel only in the month of March, 2008 as a result some 2200 meters tunnel were excavated at North portal (Chitral side). Hence more than five and half (5.5) kilometers tunnel have been completed from both sides ( Dir and Chitral) an official of National Highway Authority disclosed this scribe during visit of Lawari Rail tunnel. “Excavation work of Lawari Rail Tunnel will be complete this year said Mr. Hermann Wilscher Project Manager (Consultant) an Austrian Tunnel Specialist (geo-consultant)”. The Lawari Tunnel which is a matter of life and death for the people of Chitral was a long awaited demand of inhabitant of Chitral people.

Excavation work was started by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto at his early regime and some 800 meters work was also done on the tunnel hence work was stopped by General Ziaul Haq Chief Martial Law Administrator and President of Pakistan with a pretext of lack of fund. On the demand of these people time and again excavation work was once again started on the direction of President General retired Syed Parvez Musharaf after proper ground breaking ceremony in July 2005. Lawari pass is the only land route connecting Chitral to other sorts of the country but it remains block in winter season due to heavy snowfall. As a result Chitral remain disconnect at least for 4 to 5 months a year from other parts of the country. During blockage of Lawari top people of Chitral facing numerous problems they have only one alternate land route via Kunar Afghanistan which is not only uncomfortable but also risky.

Hence the NHA staff have assigned the contract of snow clearance to different contractors at Dir and Chitral side. Snow clearance works have been completed some 27 Kilometers from Dir side and 14 KM from Chitral side. The remaining 6 kilometers will be cleared within a week and it is expected that Lawari Pass will be opened for vehicular traffic until the end of this month or 1st April, 2008 Project Director Abdus Samad told. Although snow had removed upto 14 KM at Chitral side but the road was blocked due to debris of tunnel at the front of Lawari Rail tunnel at Ziarat. On the request of this writer Chairman NHA General Imtiaz Ahmad took immediate notice of the matter and directed concerned quarter to remove the debris from road immediately. As a result now vehicle can be travel for some 14 kilometers at Lawari pass and passengers who were facing to travel by feet now can be travel in a vehicle. Social and Political circle of the area have demanded for early opening of Lawari pass for vehicular traffic. Because the people of Chitral are compelled to travel by feet over 10500 feet high peak of Lawari pass.

As so many people have lost their lives during traveling by feet in winter season over snow bound Lawari pass. Essential edible things especially bailers with a unique way that they pulling or drawing chickens in a wooden box over the snow covered way. Hence price of edible things remain high after closing of Lawari pass. But on the completion of Lawari Rail tunnel it will bring great revolution in the lives of Chitral people. As well as it will change their fate.
G.H. Farooqi PO Box NO. 50 GPO Chitral Pakistan phone # 0943-302295, 414418, 03025989602

http://www.groundreport.com/World/Lawari-Rail-Tunnel-in-progress

Electricity supply suspended to Chitral after heavy snowfall
by G. H. Farooqui November 13, 2008

Lawari Pass blocked for all type of vehicular traffic after heavy snowfall.


CHITRAL: The only land route connecting Chitral to the other parts of the country via Lawari pass was blocked at 1200 hours midnight of Tuesday and Wednesday after heavy snowfall Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan confirmed closing of road. Some 1-foot snow has been recorded at Mata Khwar while the peak of Lawari pass received more snow as comparative to down areas. According to Meteorological office Chitral some 32.0 millimeters rain have been recorded in previous 24 hours while peaks and ground also receive snow at Chitral. After closing Lawari top Chitral disconnected with other sorts of the country as a result inhabitants of Chitral facing numerous problems. Dumping of edible goods and fuel could not(completed) stocked timely and it is fear that fuel crises may be erected in Chitral in near future. The Pakistan State Oil (PSO) corporation having oil only for one and half month in its depot but Chitral remain disconnect for more than 5 months during this period supply of oil, food item etc not possible. The main transmission line of electricity has carried here from Dir Grid station to Chitral through the top of Lawari pass, cable and poles might be broken by snowfall as a result supply of electricity also suspended to Chitral. The whole city plunged into dark while the local powerhouse having only 1 megawatt capacity and not sufficient for Chitral. Residents of Chitral have appeals to Federal and Provincial government and concerned authorities for opening of road and supply of Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene oil and other essential food item immediately as the Provincial government have banned supply of some food items to Chitral via kunar Afghanistan.



G.H. Farooqi Po Box No. 50 GPO Chitral Pakistan phone No. + 92 943 302295, 414418, 03025989602

http://www.groundreport.com/World/Electricity-supply-suspended-to-Chitral-after-heav_1

Joint Session on Thanks giving day held
by G. H. Farooqui October 18, 2008


Thanks giving day on Lawari Tunnel celebrated by joint Session of Chitral.

CHITRAL: A joint session of Tehsil Council Chitral, Mastuj and District council Chitral was held here under the chair of Convener Sultan Shah District Naib Nazim. The joint session decided to celebrate thanks giving day on completion of excavation work of Lawari Rail Tunnel. The session discussed different aspects of Lawari tunnel and was briefed regarding the tunnel as thousands of people have been died while crossing Lawari top by feet in winter season while it blocked due to heavy snowfall every year. So many convey were died and covered by killing avalanches and glaciers at the top of Lawari pass. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto started construction of Lawari tunnel in 1972. Hence after high jacking Z.A. Bhutto regime work on Lawari tunnel was also stopped due to unknown reasons.


Work on Lawari tunnel was re-started in Parvez Musharaf government and its excavation work is completing in the first week of December this year. It was long awaited demand and matter of life and death for the people of Chitral. It was a dream for inhabitants of Chitral but it is fulfilling this year. Members of the house in joint session paid rich tribute to Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for resuming work on Lawari tunnel. They also paid tribute to former president Parvez Musharaf for re-starting work on lawari rail tunnel. They house also paid solute to both national leaders. As well as they highly hailed services of National Highway Authority (NHA) for working day and night through SAMBU Korean Company as a result work will be complete timely in the end of this year.


They also paid tribute to former Chairman NHA Farrah Javed for his keen interest in Lawari tunnel. Through a unanimous resolution they decided to celebrate thank giving day on completion of Lawari Rail tunnel and to exercise one day (gazette) holiday in Chitral district. Thanks giving prayers would be offered on the same day (Nawafil Shukrana) in different Mosques and public places by people of Chitral. Free food would be distributed among the poor people by district government.


They also demanded on banning purchasing of land in Chitral to outsiders. A committee comprising over all stake holders to arrange for celebration of Lawari Tunnel ceremony. They also passed resolution to quoting names of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Parvez Musharaf as benefactors of Chitral (Mohini Chitral) and write word Mohsin with the names of both leaders. Through a resolution they demanded for proper disposing of contaminated and chemical affected debris of the tunnel to save residents of Ashriat village (outskirt of Tunnel) from infectious diseases. They also demanded for compensation dwellers of Ashriat Village whose land were used in link road and link tunnel. They also demanded from President and Premier of Pakistan to enhance Z.A. Bhutto planning and link Chitral with Tajikistan and Central Asian Republics. The house passed this resolution unanimously.


http://www.groundreport.com/Health_and_Science/Joint-Session-on-Thanks-giving-day-held

More Info about Lawari Tunnel

As a rough estimate the tunnel is having width of 7.1 meters with a height of 7.1 meters consisting on the length of 8.6 kilometers. It’s being constructed by SAMBU Company of Korea at a cost of 133 million dollar.

http://dailymailnews.com/200604/21/news/dmheadlinepage07.html

Thanksgivig in Pak?

CHITRAL, 14 Jan 09: Vehicles of NHA and Sambu company crossed through the Lowari tunnel from one end to the other on Wednesday. GM NHA, Project Director Lowari Tunnel project and officials of Sambu company were present on the occasion. District Nazim and Tehsil Nazim Chitral presented Chitrali caps to them at the Chitral end. The tunnel had broken through on 10 January. It is hoped and expected that shortly the tunnel would be opened to commercial vehicles in a controlled manner.


source: http://www.chitralnews.com/LN77.htm

Lowari Tunnel has become a reality -A dream come true for Chitralis and a milestone in the history of Chitral indeed. NHA and the Sambu construction company vehicles are plying comfortably through the tunnel from end to end which proves the tunnel is now fit to take in vehicles.

The next step planned for the tunnel is the laying of a rail track through it, which will cost another five billion rupees estimated. The important point here is to re-think as to whether we really need a rail track through the tunnel when all kinds of vehicles are already capable of driving through it ?

Even, if we, for a moment overlook its whooping initial cost, railway service through the tunnel is an avoidable external factor and additional liability with all its associated problems like operating cost, maintenance, mismanagement, breakdowns etc besides causing an unnecessary wastage of time in loading/unloading of vehicles on the train at both ends. Involving a rail system should best be avoided when the tunnel, without it, is fully capable of doing the needful.

There are much longer, equally narrow, tunnels in Europe including the 1980 constructed Gothard tunnel in the Swiss alps which is 16.3 Km long and is a single lane road tunnel. In the case of the Lowari tunnel at most a couple of additional ventilation ducts may be needed to be installed for the tunnel to be used as a regular road tunnel. Traffic through the tunnel can be regulated by giving block timings for up/down traffic. (The proposed rail system also is a one way system)

What is more important is to use the five billion rupees saved by scrapping the rail system, judiciously. The saved amount could be used to construct series of hydel power stations in Chitral and provide cheap electricity to the people to uplift their living conditions, protect forests and encourage small/cottage industries requiring electric power. Provision of affordable electricity is a need of the people, second only to the need of an all weather road. By the grace of God, we have achieved the all weather road target, now the next immediate priority should be to fulfill our energy requirements.


source: http://www.chitralnews.com/Editorial21.htm

^^ good news for the ppl of chitral.

^^ indeed. thanks to zulfiqar bhutto and pervez musharaf. :cheers:

Booni Grand Rally celebrates Lowari Tunnel
(http://www.chitralnews.com/LN82.htm)

CHITRAL, 19, January 09: In connection with the festivities of the completion of Lowari tunnel project, the residents of Mastuj tehsil took out a grand rally in which thousands of people took part despite snowfall and severe cold here on Monday. Led by district nazim Maghfirat Shah, district naib-nazim Sultan Shah, tehsil nazim Mastuj Shahzada Sikander ul Mulk, tehsil nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmed Khan, union nazim Amiruallah and the representatives of civil society organizations, the rally passed through different roads of Booni town and converted into a public meeting.



Speaking on the occasion, the district nazim said that due to its proximity, Chitral is the gateway of Central Asia and with the completion of Lowari tunnel project, the dream is also coming nearer. He expressed his hope that President Asif Zardari will announce the project of Chitral-Tajikistan road during his proposed visit to Chitral during the forthcoming summer which he has promised. He said that venues of progress and prosperity will now open for Chitral and it will remain backward no more with the completion of the Lowari tunnel project for which the residents of Chitral yearned for the last 61 years of the establishment of Pakistan. (photo by GH Farooqi)



On this occasion, a resolution was passed in which it was demanded of the government to take solid measures to connect Chitral with the Central Asian republics. It was also demanded of the government to allow the passengers of Chitral to use the tunnel daily for two hours to rid the stranded passengers in Chitral and Peshawar.



Those who addressed on the occasion included Chitral DCO Motasim Billah Shah, Shahzada Sikandar Ul Mulk, Sartaj Ahmed Khan, Sultan Shah, Amirullah, Zaffarullah, Syed Sardar Hussain, Haji Qadir Shah, Shamsur Rehman, Fazlur Rahman, Kashafat Younis etc They said that the residents of Chitral have got real freedom with the completion of the Lowari tunnel after which Chitral has been connected with the rest of the country. They said that the residents of Chitral must prepare themselves for the post-Lowari tunnel scenario Chitral which will bring with itself competition in every field of life.



Most of the speakers eulogized former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for initiating work on the project and former president Pervez Musharraf for restarting work on it. They appreciated the efforts of former MNA Atalique Jafar Ali Shah for presenting his vision of the tunnel and steadfastly pursuing it all the way. --(Zahiruddin)

PESHAWAR, Jan 26: The National Highway Authority and Korean construction company Sambo will discuss technical aspects about opening of the newly constructed Lowari tunnel for light traffic on Jan 28.

Following a request from NWFP Miniser for Population Welfare Saleem Khan, the Federal Minister for Communication Arbab Alamgir Khan has convened a high-level meeting of the technical experts of NHA and the Korean company to deliberate on the issue, says a handout issued here on Monday.

The meeting besides others will also be attended by federal minister Najmuddin Khan and NWFP minister Saleem Khan.

The provincial minister had recently apprised Mr Alamgir of the difficulties faced by the Chitrali people due to the closure of Lowari top and requested him to open the tunnel for light traffic according to weekly schedule so as to mitigate the miseries of Chitralis.

The federal minister assured him that after consultation with the concerned technical experts, he would take every possible step to that effect.


source: http://www.dawn.com/2009/01/27/local28.htm

Joint Session on Thanks giving day held
by G. H. Farooqui October 18, 2008


Thanks giving day on Lawari Tunnel celebrated by joint Session of Chitral.

CHITRAL: A joint session of Tehsil Council Chitral, Mastuj and District council Chitral was held here under the chair of Convener Sultan Shah District Naib Nazim. The joint session decided to celebrate thanks giving day on completion of excavation work of Lawari Rail Tunnel. The session discussed different aspects of Lawari tunnel and was briefed regarding the tunnel as thousands of people have been died while crossing Lawari top by feet in winter season while it blocked due to heavy snowfall every year. So many convey were died and covered by killing avalanches and glaciers at the top of Lawari pass. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto started construction of Lawari tunnel in 1972. Hence after high jacking Z.A. Bhutto regime work on Lawari tunnel was also stopped due to unknown reasons.


Work on Lawari tunnel was re-started in Parvez Musharaf government and its excavation work is completing in the first week of December this year. It was long awaited demand and matter of life and death for the people of Chitral. It was a dream for inhabitants of Chitral but it is fulfilling this year. Members of the house in joint session paid rich tribute to Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for resuming work on Lawari tunnel. They also paid tribute to former president Parvez Musharaf for re-starting work on lawari rail tunnel. They house also paid solute to both national leaders. As well as they highly hailed services of National Highway Authority (NHA) for working day and night through SAMBU Korean Company as a result work will be complete timely in the end of this year.


They also paid tribute to former Chairman NHA Farrah Javed for his keen interest in Lawari tunnel. Through a unanimous resolution they decided to celebrate thank giving day on completion of Lawari Rail tunnel and to exercise one day (gazette) holiday in Chitral district. Thanks giving prayers would be offered on the same day (Nawafil Shukrana) in different Mosques and public places by people of Chitral. Free food would be distributed among the poor people by district government.


They also demanded on banning purchasing of land in Chitral to outsiders. A committee comprising over all stake holders to arrange for celebration of Lawari Tunnel ceremony. They also passed resolution to quoting names of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Parvez Musharaf as benefactors of Chitral (Mohini Chitral) and write word Mohsin with the names of both leaders. Through a resolution they demanded for proper disposing of contaminated and chemical affected debris of the tunnel to save residents of Ashriat village (outskirt of Tunnel) from infectious diseases. They also demanded for compensation dwellers of Ashriat Village whose land were used in link road and link tunnel. They also demanded from President and Premier of Pakistan to enhance Z.A. Bhutto planning and link Chitral with Tajikistan and Central Asian Republics. The house passed this resolution unanimously.


http://www.groundreport.com/Health_and_Science/Joint-Session-on-Thanks-giving-day-held


Sounds like an article by a PPP jiyala. Sorry to be a party pooper but Z.A. Bhutto is not the original planner. The idea of the Lowari Tunnel was first conceived in 1956. http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/02/nat22.htm
The tunnel did not materialize due to concerns by the establishment that it will be used as an invasion route by Communist forces (hysteria regarding communism was at it's peak at that time i.e. mid to late 70s..whipped up by Jamaat-e-Islami mostly).

Sounds like an article by a PPP jiyala. Sorry to be a party pooper but Z.A. Bhutto is not the original planner. The idea of the Lowari Tunnel was first conceived in 1956. http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/02/nat22.htm
The tunnel did not materialize due to concerns by the establishment that it will be used as an invasion route by Communist forces (hysteria regarding communism was at it's peak at that time i.e. mid to late 70s..whipped up by Jamaat-e-Islami mostly).

who cares who the original planeer was. the thing is that why didnt they start it from 1956 till the start of bhutto's reign. BHUTTO STARTED BUILDING THE TUNNEL although communism was at its peak during that time. he was some hundred metres in when zia came to power n stopped it due to unknown "reasons" maybe the communist invasion of afghanistan this time. n btw the article doesnt talk about communism, it talks about lack of political will. when it comes to lowari tunnel, all chitralis are jiyala bhutto n jiyala musharaf, not "jiyala PPP". people care about practical work, they dont care about who "planned" it. thanx 4 da info. :cheers:

http://app.com.pk/photo/photo_lib/01-04-2009/0c82b60358f0a126dab514711c83f1ed.jpg

so its not complete yet but i thought it was?????

^^ they connected the chitral n dir sides but theres still a lot of work to be done inside (i think the carpeting of road n the strengthening of tunnel sides n roof). it's gonna be opened for traffic this coming winter.

thanx 4 the information, much appriciated :cheers:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/3794663162_9533835a31_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3793842833_73812ec47d_b.jpg

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af117/Ahmadrashid/10-18-2009_8690_1.gif

The government has decided to convert Lowari rail tunnel into a road tunnel, which will also save Rs1.5 billion.

Minister for Communication Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan, who announced the decision here on Tuesday at the end of a seminar organised by the National Highway Authority, directed for resuming work on the project in a fortnight.

Representatives of the Korean construction firm carrying out the project gave an assurance on the occasion that they would start work in 15 days. Mr Alamgir said besides consulting elected representatives of the area, he had visited the area and exchanged views with local elders who were of the opinion that rail tunnel would not be of much benefit to the people.

He said the Lowari tunnel was part of a 1,300km road project that would link Pakistan with Tajikistan. He said the Lowari tunnel was an important project not only for the people of Chitral but also for the entire country.

The minister said the ministry had paid outstanding dues to the Korean firm, which had agreed to restart work.

Minister for Safron Najmuddin Khan said the Nowshera-Chitral road (N-45) was also in a dilapidated condition needed to be repaired on priority basis.

Earlier, NHA chairman Altaf Chaudhry told the participants that shortage of electricity, high maintenance cost of rail system at a high altitude, discontinuity of the NHA road network and impossibility of loading heavy vehicles on the rail were the reasons that the authority recommended to convert the Lowari project into a road tunnel.He said the road tunnel would be easier and cheaper to maintain.

A representative of consultant firm Geoconsult-Typsa, Dr Johann Golser, said conversion from rail to road tunnel would save the NHA Rs1.5 billion.

Among others, the seminar was also attended by Minister of State for Communication Imtiaz Safdar Waraich, MNA Shahzada Mohiuddin, provincial Minister for Social Welfare Salim Khan, MPAs Mohammad Anwar Khan, Ghulam Mohammad Khan and Bacha Saleh, Upper Dir District Nazim Sahibzada Tariqullah, Chitral District Nazim Maghfirat Shah and Chitral PPP president Zainul Abidin.

Was Lowari tunnel to be made train tunnel before? I don't know that before........

any idea how much KM long this tunnel would bee?

Was Lowari tunnel to be made train tunnel before? I don't know that before........

yea, it was supposed to be a rail tunnel.. dunno why.. i thought it was stupid and pointless.. it's better now that its gonna become a road tunnel,

any idea how much KM long this tunnel would bee?

it's gonna be approx. 8.5 km long..

it's gonna be approx. 8.5 km long..

SERIOUSLY? :shocked:

Thats a longass tunnel!

According to wikipedia,

"The Lowari Tunnel is an 8.6 km (5.3 mi.) long tunnel located in the NWFP province of Pakistan between Dir and Chitral District."

According to wikipedia,

"The Lowari Tunnel is an 8.6 km (5.3 mi.) long tunnel located in the NWFP province of Pakistan between Dir and Chitral District."

yea man im surprised how ignorant i was to this project....8.5 thts a freakin lot..but so pathetich by govt if making a tunnel make it rail and road once and for all....not jst one of the 2...espeically of a project this size

yea man im surprised how ignorant i was to this project....8.5 thts a freakin lot..but so pathetich by govt if making a tunnel make it rail and road once and for all....not jst one of the 2...espeically of a project this size

they took this step to reduce the project cost...i dont think so that there will be enough money for this project to be multipurpose i-e rail and road both...

yea man im surprised how ignorant i was to this project....8.5 thts a freakin lot..but so pathetich by govt if making a tunnel make it rail and road once and for all....not jst one of the 2...espeically of a project this size

there is no need for both my friend.. a road tunnel, which is cheaper is actually what is needed.. everything, whether goods or ppl, travel by vehicles i.e trucks, vans etc...

yes i agree .... even in AHmad Rashid Ahmad's post its mentioned in first line that converting it to Road tunnel will save 1.5 billion rs

http://www.express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx?newsID=1100820466&Issue=NP_LHE&Date=20100109

http://www.express.com.pk/images/NP_LHE/20100109/Sub_Images/1100820466-1.jpg

Even during this time of year traffic is flowing smoothly through Lowari tunnel

The estimated completion date of this project is Sep, 2010........

http://www.app.com.pk/photo/photo_lib/02-02-2010/75199744f32249fb33857629cc8300bc.jpg

^^Nice pic.........

“Work on Lowari Tunnel (rail project) was closed not only due to military operation in the region but also because of the fact that the rail project was converted to road project after decades,” NHA sources said. The original cost was Rs 5,428 million while its revised cost was Rs 6,047 million.

China has agreed to extend support for completion of Lowari Tunnel up to Tajikistan and in improving the Silk Road to boost trade, spokesperson of the Ministry of Communication told Business Recorder. A joint ministerial committee meeting between Pakistan and China was held here on Monday.

Chitralis demand release of funds for Lowari Tunnel project



Thursday, April 01, 2010
By Bureau report

PESHAWAR: The residents of Chitral staged protest against the government for not releasing funds for the under-construction Lowari Tunnel project.

Led by former member of the National Assembly from Chitral, Abdul Akbar Chitrali, the protesters said the government should release funds so that the project was completed without delay. They said the people had already faced a lot of miseries due to blockade of Lowari Top during winters and the tunnel was their sole hope.

The local consultants and Sambu Construction Company undertaking the Lowari Tunnel Project have threatened to halt work on the tunnel if the government did not release Rs700 million by April 1.

An official source said the government had failed to furnish funds for the mega project enabling the landlocked Chitral district to have a round-the-year access to the rest of the country. He said if Rs700 million under the agreement were not released, the Sambu Construction Company and local consultants would stop work on the project.

Work on the project remained suspended for five months last year due to poor security situation. More impediments could cause further delay in the completion of the tunnel, which to the delight of Chitralis was used this year for transportation.

Amazing video doc on Lowari Tunnel:

http://current.com/groups/on-current-tv/92404801_deadliest-journeys-pakistan.htm

^^ The documentary is worth watching! :okay: Thanx for sharing!

^^ The documentary is worth watching! :okay: Thanx for sharing!

x2 ... and those bitch slaps :D they are already famous on FB. :lol:

Sweet documentary. I never realized how much the Lowari tunnel was really needed.

nice documentary :)

BTW does anyone know the status of Lowari Tunnel?

Got this from NHA website:

Project Name Lowari Main Tunnel
Length 8.75 km
Cost (In Million) 5545.7
Contractor Sambu(JV)
Consultant Geo-Consult/Typsa JV
Date of Commencement 5 September 2005
Approved Date of Completion 4 September 2010
Expected Date of Completion 30 September 2010
Physical Progress 87.1% completed

2nd phase of Lowari Tunnel completed...

http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/oct2010-daily/11-10-2010/cities/peshawar/index.html

^^
Secondary Lowari tunnel boring complete


Chitral -- Boring of 1.8 km secondary Lowari tunnel between Ziarat and Ashret is complete and could see breakthrough any time at a formal function. Chitralis have demanded immediate opening of both tunnels for passengers passage so that time and money of the travelers is saved and price hike of eatables transported from down country over the pass at high rates is reduced...--GH Farooqi, 04 Oct 10

Taking strong notice of the delay in making Lowari Tunnel operational, Federal Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan on Friday directed the concerned authorities to submit weekly report on the progress of the project. "No compromise will be made on the quality of work on the project of vital importance," said the minister while chairing a high-level meeting on the progress of Lowari Tunnel Project.

The minister also directed the concerned authorities to submit a complete report on the project within fortnight. He appointed Mather Niaz Rana Joint Secretary MoC as Co-ordinator of the project. The meeting was attended by Secretary Ministry of Communication Sharif Ahmed Khan, Chairman NHA Chaudhry Altaf Ahmed, senior officials of the Korean Contractor SAMBU and other officials from the Ministry and NHA.

The minister was given detailed briefing on the progress of the project. He was informed that 43 percent work of the tunnel has been completed. The minister showing dissatisfaction over the pace of work directed the Chairman NHA, GM and Project Director to speed up the work so that it could be completed as early as possible.


Source: http://www.brecorder.com/news/business-and-economy/pakistan/1138051:lowari-tunnel-authorities-asked-to-speed-up-work.html

Hain.....!! i thought 87% work was done mentioned in the previous post..!!

Hain.....!! i thought 87% work was done mentioned in the previous post..!!

I got that stats from NHA website, I think those were wrongly posted because I also saw, couple of days ago on Geo News, that the work is 43 % completed....

Saw on Value TV today:
- This projects was started in June, 2006
- Estimated completion date is Dec, 2013
- Rs. 8.5 bn already spent
- Rs. 6 bn more will be spended
- 44% completed
- 40 kms road will be built on both sides of the tunnel

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto started construction of Lawari tunnel in 1972. Hence after high jacking Z.A. Bhutto regime work on Lawari tunnel was also stopped due to unknown reasons.


Lowari Tunnel was conceived in 1956, work started in 1974 and stopped in 1979 and restarted in 2005.

It was not stopped in 1979 due to unknown reasons or lack of funds. It was stopped after the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan as Pakistan felt it may be used by the Soviet Union after invading Pakistan through the Chitral side.

Lowari project funds stopped Chitrali warns of big protest for payment to contractor

Posted on June 21, 2011
M. Wali Afridi

PESHAWAR: Jamaat Islami leader and Convenor of Tanzeem Tahafuz-e- Haqooq Chitrali Abdul Akbar Chitrali on Monday said that the people of Chitral would not tolerate any hindrance and delay tactics in the construction work of Lowari Tunnel and warned that the government should pay the dues of the company working on the project before July 1.Abdul Akbar Chitrali expressed his views during a press conference at Peshawar Press Culb.He said that the government had stopped releasing funds to the Korean Sambo company which means that government did not want to complete the project on time and tried to halt the progress of the company. The Lowari Tunnel project was a dream of the inhabitants of the locality and they would not tolerate any hindrance in this regard.He further said that if the government did not release dues of the company before the given ultimate than the people of Chitaral would go on hunger strikes, civil disobedience and long march towards Islamabad, adding, the government and chairman NHA would be responsible for unwanted situation.He also demanded that the government release rupees 700 million for the remaining construction work on the project. Talking about aftermath of the given deadline, Abdul Akbar Chitrali said that his organization would convene a meeting on July 4 in which people from different walks of life including trade unions, lawyers community, leaders of all employees coordination council, contractors and representatives of different NGOs.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/?p=29054

Unbelievable this project is still not complete. :(

Lowari tunnel NHA told to resolve contractor’s issue




ISLAMABAD, June 25: Federal Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to resolve the issue of the contractor executing the Lowari Tunnel project in order to resume work at the site and ensure early completion of the project.
The tunnel has already been delayed by several years from the deadline earlier fixed due to financial constraints and the devastating floods of 2010. Initiated in 2005, Lowari Tunnel project was scheduled to be completed by 2012 at a cost of Rs9 billion. But now the deadline has been extended to 2014 with the cost escalating to Rs18 billion. About 50 per cent work has been completed on the project but the Korean contractor, Sambu, has stopped work due to non-payment of funds and even threatened to withdraw from the site if the required funds were not made available.

The minister issued directives to the NHA officials to ensure provision of required funds amounting to Rs211 million to the contractor to avoid further delay in the project. He was presiding over a meeting held to discuss progress of work on the mega project which after completion will connect Chitral with other parts of the country.

The meeting was informed that the width of the tunnel had been increased to 7.3 metres from the earlier 5.3 metres due to conversion of the project from rail into a road tunnel to meet international standards.

The meeting was told that completion of the tunnel within the specified time would require Rs3 billion per annum. The federal minister directed the NHA to ensure provision of the required funds for timely completion of the project. The minister also assured that liabilities of the contractor would be cleared. — Staff Reporter

islamabad, june 25: federal minister for communications dr arbab alamgir khan has directed the national highway authority (nha) to resolve the issue of the contractor executing the lowari tunnel project in order to resume work at the site and ensure early completion of the project. the tunnel has already been delayed by several years from the deadline earlier fixed due to financial constraints and the devastating floods of 2010. initiated in 2005, lowari tunnel project was scheduled to be completed by 2012 at a cost of rs9 billion. but now the deadline has been extended to 2014 with the cost escalating to rs18 billion. about 50 per cent work has been completed on the project but the korean contractor, sambu, has stopped work due to non-payment of funds and even threatened to withdraw from the site if the required funds were not made available. the minister issued directives to the nha officials to ensure provision of required funds amounting to rs211 million to the contractor to avoid further delay in the project. he was presid- ing over a meeting held to discuss progress of work on the mega project which after completion will connect chitral with other parts of the country. the meeting was informed that the width of the tunnel had been increased to 7.3 metres from the earlier 5.3 metres due to conversion of the project from rail into a road tunnel to meet international standards. the meeting was told that completion of the tunnel within the specified time would require rs3 billion per annum. the federal minister directed the nha to ensure provision of the required funds for timely completion of the project. the min- ister also assured that liabilities of the contractor would be cleared. — staff reporter

The Lowari Tunnel project, conceived way back in 1956, has been left incomplete again much to the anger of the people of Chitral, the largest district area-wise in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The South Korean construction company, Sambu JV, stopped work on the project several months ago and the two European consultant firms quit even before it due to non-payment by the National Highway Authority (NHA). Since the stoppage of work on the project, the people of Chitral have been staging protests in Chitral town and Peshawar and asking the government to provide the promised funds so that the construction firm and consultants could be paid and work resumed on Lowari Tunnel.

The Chitralis were looking forward to the early completion of the tunnel as it would have provided them access to rest of Pakistan all year round. The Chitral valley is cut-off from the country for almost five months during the winter due to heavy snowfall on the Lowari Pass, the 10,320 feet (3200 metres) high mountain pass linking Chitral with the Upper Dir district.

On May 5, 2011 Sambu JV served notice on the NHA under the terms of their contract demanding payment of its outstanding dues. The 28-day notice period ended on June 3 and the next step by the South Korean firm was to write to the NHA to form a committee for final settlement. This would effectively end the participation of Sambu JV in the project. This would be all the more disappointing because 44 percent of the work on the project has been completed.

“It is true that we stopped work on the project sometime back and have now served notice on the NHA for settling our accounts under the contract’s terms. How can we continue working without getting paid for the work that we have already done,” an official of Sambu JV said while requesting anonymity.

This must have been one of the toughest contracts for the South Korean company. The weather is extremely cold and harsh at the Lowari Pass and there have been periods of insecurity in the area, particularly during the militant attacks in Malakand division, which includes both Chitral and the two Dir districts.

The Sambu JV management was frustrated when its more than 500 employees and heavy machinery sat idle due to suspension of work on the project. Plans were hurriedly made to send back 17 Koreans working on the project and shift some of the 500 Pakistani workers and machinery to other smaller projects contracted by Sambu JV in Chitral. Hoping to get paid, Sambu JV continued to do limited work on the tunnel in absence of consultants who stopped working last October.

All those hopes were dashed in June when one billion rupees only were earmarked for Lowari Tunnel project in the federal budget and the NHA allocations. As the NHA had to pay Rs700 million outstanding dues to Sambu and the Austrian and Spanish consultants’ firms, the remaining Rs300 million allocated for Lowari Tunnel wasn’t enough for the contractor to resume work on the project. This isn’t the first time that work on the project has been stopped. In fact, Lowari Tunnel has been an unlucky project. Perhaps no other project has taken so long to be completed. Work on it was first started in 1974 by the government of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who enjoyed popularity in Chitral. It was going to be a 8.75 kilometres long tunnel to provide an all-weather road link to Chitral and reduce the journey time from Chitral to Peshawar from 14 hours by almost half.

However, work on the project was stopped in December 1979 following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It is said the fear that the Soviet Red Army would be able to use the tunnel to cross over to Dir from Chitral before advancing downcountry to the heartland of Pakistan was one reason that work on Lowari Tunnel project was halted. If true, it was absurd because there is no evidence that the Soviet Union wanted to invade Pakistan to reach the warm waters of the Arabian Sea.

The work on the redesigned project was started in September 2005. It was initially designed as a rail tunnel but was subsequently changed to road tunnel. The estimated cost was to be Rs5.4 billion, which later rose to Rs6 billion. Now the cost of the civil works is stated to be Rs8-9 billion. The December 2013 timeline for completion of the project would also be difficult to meet in view of the delays and suspension of work. The people of Chitral, forced in the past to travel at their risk via Afghanistan’s Kunar province and Bajaur Agency to reach Peshawar and dependent during the winter on the irregular PIA flights, would have to wait longer for Lowari Tunnel to be completed and made usable.

`Funds for Lowari tunnel soon`

MNA from Chitral Shahzada Mohiuddin said here on Wednesday that construction work on the Lowari Tunnel would restart soon.

Talking to Dawn here; the MNA said that he had conveyed the resentment of the people of Chitral over the suspension of work on the mega project to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani who assured him that the required funds would be released to the executing company soon.

According to the latest estimate of the National Highway Authority (NHA), Rs17 billion would be needed to expand the width of the eight-km-long tunnel from the current 11 feet to 23 feet and reconstruct roads on its northern and southern portals.

These modifications are being made after the project design was changed from rail to road tunnel.

The MNA said the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) in its next meeting would approve the required funds for completion of the project without further delay. It may be noted that work on the tunnel connecting Chitral with other parts of the country was inaugurated by former president Gen Pervez Musharraf in July 2005 and the project was to be completed in four years.

The residents of Chitral have threatened to launch agitation against government for its failure to allocate funds for completion of Lowari tunnel.

“We will start a protest movement after Eidul Fitr as government is reluctant to allocate the required funds for the project,” former MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali told a press conference here on Wednesday.

The Mualana, who is also convener of Tahafuz Haqooq-i-Chitral Movement, said that the construction company concerned stopped work on Lowari tunnel as government didn’t pay its dues.

The pipeline installed at a cost of Rs250 million to supply oxygen to the tunnel had also been taken away by the company owing to non-payment of its dues, he added.

Accompanied by several elders of the area, he said that lawmakers of Chitral failed to restart work on the tunnel. The stoppage of work on the tunnel had created unrest among the people of the district, he said.

Maulna Chitrali said that Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Saleem Khan could not convince Federal Minister for Communication Dr Arbab Alamgir to help restart work on the tunnel despite the fact that both the ministers belonged to
Pakistan People’s Party.

“Only tall claims are not solution to the problems of people,” he added. He alleged that elected representatives of Chitral were trying to deceive people by making hollow promises without doing anything practical for development of the area.

“They (Chitral’s lawmakers) are national traitors and deserve exemplary punishment for ignoring their constituents,” he said.

The former lawmaker said that elected representatives of Chitral should tender resignation in protest as they could not do anything good for the welfare and development of the district.

Giving details of their proposed protest, he said that that they would close all government departments and block the main Dir-Chitral Road to all kinds of vehicular traffic.

He said that they would march on Islamabad to raise the issue at national and international levels. He also criticised Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti for what he said avoiding taking up the issue with the federal government.

The chief minister had promised to support Chitralis and raise voice for allocating the required funds for the completion of the project but he didn’t fulfil his promise, he said.

just wanna put this out there. this protest news is bogus. the only thing that this maulana abdul akbar wants is to shine his politics. he didnt do shit to improve chitral during his MNAship. and he WAS the convener of Tahafuz Haqooq-i-Chitral years ago. not anymore. no one supports his fake love for the ppl of chitral.

just wanna put this out there. this protest news is bogus. the only thing that this maulana abdul akbar wants is to shine his politics. he didnt do shit to improve chitral during his MNAship. and he WAS the convener of Tahafuz Haqooq-i-Chitral years ago. not anymore. no one supports his fake love for the ppl of chitral.

isn't this problem with all the politicians and not only mulanas? :)

isn't this problem with all the politicians and not only mulanas? :)

oh yea, but more so with maulanas. they seem to be more desperate. they play whatever card they can for their personal interests. and i'm talking only about chitral here.

PM directs NHA to resume work on Lowari Tunnel

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday directed the Chairman National Highway Authority (NHA) to immediately resume work on Lowari Tunnel. He directed the Ministry of Finance and Planning Division to release funds worth Rs. two billion to NHA for this purpose, with Rs. one billion over and above the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

The tunnel is extremely important for the corridor to Asian Republics through Pakistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan route besides providing great relief to people of the region, he added.

In the aftermath of Attaabad lake, the Prime Minister gave directions to NHA to start work on Attaabad lake by-pass without further delay as it would resume trade with China which is our major trading partner.

The completion of by-pass would also provide a great deal of convenience to people of the region who have to undergo a lot of discomfort in terms of money and time in absence of the by-pass, maintained the Prime Minister.

http://jang.com.pk/jang/nov2011-daily/25-11-2011/updates/11-25-2011_88489_1.gif

I thought this project has already been completed.

^^ So far around 45-50% completed...

Lowari Tunnel to provide road links with Afghanistan, CAS

An important meeting at Ministry of Communication was informed completion of Lowari Tunnel Project to provide durable road links with Afghanistan and Central Asian States (CAS) and hence will strengthen the country’s economy by facilitating trade, tourism, industry and agriculture.

Federal Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan Khalil informed the meeting Rs 6.4 billion has been spent so far on the Lowari Tunnel project, which has a total cost of Rs 18 billion.

The contractors will soon resume work on the rest of the project, he added. The Minister said Ministry of Finance has released Rs 2 billion to NHA under the direction of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The Federal Minister was told work on the project remained suspended due to devastating floods in the country and shortage of funds while the PC-1 was also revised due to change of design from rail tunnel to road tunnel.

The participants of the meeting were told the Lowari Road Tunnel comprises of two tunnels, each of 8.5 kilometres and 2 kilometres respectively.

Work on this project was started by GEO Consultants in collaboration with SAMBU of Korea and same companies would resume work on the project.

The Federal Minister apprised the participants this project is not only vital for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but, with its completion, a longstanding demand of the people of Chitral would also be fulfilled and the project itself would open new vistas of development and would establish durable road links with Afghanistan and Central Asian States.

this is a nice project. does anyone have a map showing the path of the tunnel?

before you say i have looked through the last few pages.

Under construction Lowari Tunnel

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYV0DA_qXUc&feature=related