Did you know?The Lowari Tunnel is the longest tunnel of Pakistan and is 8.6 km (5.3 miles) long located in the NWFP province of Pakistan between Dir and Chitral District. It replaces the entitlement with Khojak Tunnel of being the longest tunnel of Pakistan.
The recently completed tunnel, which is 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. In September 2005 work on the tunnel restarted. Construction vehicles transited the completed tunnel in January 2009, and it is expected to open to the public in early 2010 when work on access roads and a rail system, which is planned to convey vehicles through the tunnel, is completed. This mega-project is ranked 5th out of top 20 development projects currently underway.
A South Korean construction company, SAMBU, has been assigned the work on the tunnel. It is expected to be completed at a cost of Rs.8 billion ($133 million US). Currently the project is overseen by Mr. Salman Rashid, General Manager of National Highway Authority (NHA).
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.
"This mega-project is ranked 5th out of top 20 development projects currently underway." Very significant indeed.
ReplyDeleteYes, its great that at least we have a list of mega-projects underway but unfortunately I still not able to find the list.
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