The National Highway Authority (NHA) Executive Board has taken significant steps to streamline the process of laying and crossing Optical Fiber Cables (OFC) within the NHA Right of Way (RoW). This decision aligns with the directive of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and aims to expedite the issuance of NOCs for OFC operations.
?A committee led by the Cabinet Secretary, formed by the Executive Committee of SIFC, has established favorable rates for optical fiber and related digital infrastructure along the RoW, setting it at Rs. 30 per meter. This adjustment addresses previous proposed rates of Rs. 240 per meter by Pakistan Railways.
Furthermore, the Board has granted permission to issue Gratis NOCs to non-profit and charitable organizations, conditional upon submitting relevant documentation confirming their non-profit status.
These documents include a registration certificate issued by a Federal or Provincial Authority, an FBR exemption certificate declaring them as non-profit/charitable organizations, and any other pertinent certificates issued by Government agencies or authorities. The Board has emphasized the necessity of fulfilling all technical requirements before granting Gratis NOCs.
Additionally, the NHA Executive Board has made important decisions concerning settling disputes and claims between the National Highway Authority and M/s China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) regarding the Multan-Sukkur Motorway M-5 Project.
This settlement agreement involves the withdrawal of claims by the contractor amounting to Rs. 20,871.46 million and the withdrawal of claims by the employer amounting to Rs. 18.142 billion. It also solidifies payment agreements based on the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract price and addresses the disbandment of the Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB).
After the approval of the settlement agreement, the Performance Guarantee will be released to the Contractor, marking a significant step forward in resolving the project’s disputes and claims. These decisions reflect the NHA’s commitment to improving OFC operations’ efficiency and transparency while addressing complex disputes in infrastructure projects.