PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has allocated Rs 3.9 billion to complete the Peshawar Northern Bypass project. This significant decision was made during a meeting led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Thursday, where the project’s current status and future actions were discussed.
The meeting concluded that Rs 3.9 billion will be provided as bridge financing to facilitate the completion of the under-construction Northern Bypass. Additionally, the provincial government will contribute Rs 1 billion for the construction of two critical underpasses and a bridge associated with the project. Officials from the National Highway Authority (NHA) assured that the project is expected to be completed by June 2026.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated that the project has been delayed since 2010 due to insufficient funding from the federal government, which has also resulted in slow progress for many development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He emphasised that this project serves public interest and that the provincial government will do everything possible to ensure its timely completion. He noted that finishing the project would enhance travel facilities and spur commercial activities.
During the meeting, a detailed briefing on the project’s progress was provided, revealing that Rs 23.5 billion has already been spent, with an overall financial progress of 85.6 per cent. The physical completion rates are as follows: Package One is 100 per cent complete, Package Two is 64 per cent complete, Package Three is 86.6 per cent complete, and Package 3A is 69 per cent complete.
Present at the meeting were Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam, a member of the National Highways Authority, the Commissioner of Peshawar, and officials from relevant provincial departments.
This decision is regarded as a crucial step towards improving traffic flow and revitalising trade routes in Peshawar. The public is hopeful that the full completion of the project will significantly enhance the city’s basic infrastructure.
