Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):A meeting of the sub-Committee on the Senate Standing Committee on Communications was held in Parliament Lodges, Islamabad. The meeting was convened under the Convenership of Senator Saifullah Abro; those who attended included Senator Danesh Kumar and Senior Officers from the Ministry of Communications. The sub-Committee reviewed various completed and ongoing projects by the National Highway Authority (NHA) from 2008 onwards, to identify cost overruns and the reasons for it.

The Committee was informed that there were 33 projects that were completed at increased cost, which was almost 13 percent more than the initial bid. Main reasons for increased costs of projects were difference between financial funds and financial phasing in PC-I; cost escalation; additional scope of work and land acquisition issues.

The Committee reviewed the Larkana – Khairpur Bridge Project; Lakhi- Naudero – Larkana project; Zhob – Mughal Kot Project and the Larkana – Moenjo Daro Road Project. The Hyderabad – Sukkur Road project was also discussed in detail.

The Committee showed displeasure regarding the submitted data and directed the Ministry to provide a detailed summary of the prequalification and bidding process. Convener Committee, Senator Saifullah Abro stressed the need for the prequalification process to be transparent and bids to be awarded on merit. He was of the view that following international standards in this regard would be helpful.

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