Sialkot-Wazirabad duel-way to cost Rs 1 Bln in Punjab
Pakistan Times National News Desk

SIALKOT: Arrangements are being finalized for converting Sialkot-Wazirabad road into duel-way at a cost of Rs. 1 billion.

Credible sources told 'Pakistan Times' on Sunday that work on the mega project shall be set in motion shortly.

The duel-way project shall not only improve the flow of traffic but would also ensure swift handling of the exportable consignments from the Sialkot Dry Port and play a vital role in promoting exports as the track caters the need of the entire Gujranwala division.

Besides this, the Sialkot Processing Zone has been established on the same track with easy approach to the Sialkot International airport.

Backdrop

The step has been taken on the pressing demand of the general public as well as the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the sources said by adding that currently the process of industrialization has been halted in Sialkot, the hub of Sports, Surgical, Leather Goods plus Cutlery and Musical Instruments which are highly popular in the international market and the world-over, only due to the poor and shabby condition of the highly significant road which links the ancient city of Wazirabad with Sialkot, the home-town of the Poet-Philosopher Allama Iqbal which is situated very close to the India held-Jammu city of the Himalayan State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Answering a question the sources said that while starting the construction of the 40-Kilometers duel-carriage Sialkot-Wazirabad Road, planners were thinking of providing an additional separate lane up to Sambrial, the locale of the Sialkot Dry Port for smooth flow of heavy vehicles such as containers, trucks and alike transportation multi-wheelers. The idea is to keep the new duel-way road in perfect condition for a long time and to ensure the safety of commuters.

Similarly, another lane is being anticipated for the slow vehicles, especially those which are driven by years-old style of using animals for the purpose of transportation.

Diversions

The Sialkot Chamber has assured maximum help in terms of additional funds if and when such a need arises to get the mega project implemented as quickly as possible.

It is hoped that work on the project shall be started by March this year and all types of traffic shall be diverted on the Sialkot-Gujranwala Road via Gouaniki towards Sialkot and on the route of Daska for Sambrial.

This arrangement shall remain intact till the completion of the Sialkot-Wazirabad track which may take a few months time.●