For the Sambrial-Kharian highway, 64 villages will be purchased

For the Sambrial-Kharian highway, 64 villages will be purchased. At least 180 acres of land may be acquired for the 69-kilometre Sambrial-Kharian motorway, as the survey of buildings, trees, and other infrastructure along the proposed route has not been completed.

According to local administration and NHA sources, 64 villages in Gujrat and Sialkot districts have been identified for acquisition. There are 28 villages in Gujrat and 22 villages in Kharian tehsils in Gujrat district, and 14 villages in Sambrial tehsil in Sialkot. The precise dimensions of the required land may be determined following the completion of another survey.

However, sources indicate that approximately 160 to 180 acres of land may be acquired, as the deputy commissioners of both districts have already notified the villages under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act.

Read more with EL news : Buses being procured for Peshawar Mor, new airport metro service

The NHA reportedly requested that the local administration survey buildings and trees along the designated route. The survey has begun in Sambrial and will continue in Gujrat and Kharian tehsils, following which an assessment of the land and building values will be made.

Rafaqat, the NHA’s project director for the Sambrial-Kharian motorway, says the federal government has allocated Rs4 billion for land acquisition, while the contractor firm, Frontier Works Organization (FWO), will bear the construction costs, as the project is being implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP). He estimates that the surveys and land acquisition will take three months to complete, and construction will begin the following payment to the landowners.

According to Rafaqat, the route will include at least five interchanges and a junction near Kharian and a rest area.

The Sambrial-Kharian motorway extends the Lahore-Sialkot motorway (M11); however, similar to the first phase (Lahore-Sialkot), the second and third phases are the second and third phases up to Islamabad are being built as dual carriageways with two lanes on each side. The M11 can add a third lane on both sides, provided sufficient land is available.

Keep up with Estate Land Marketing for news and updates.