QUETTA: Officials of the National Highway Authority (NHA) have called for cooperation from the business community to enhance revenue generation and improve road infrastructure in Balochistan.
Speaking at a session held at the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday, NHA General Manager Agha Inayatullah said the authority manages over 4,000 kilometres of national highways in the province, requiring around Rs15 billion annually for maintenance. However, Balochistan contributes only about Rs200 million to NHA’s total annual revenue of Rs130 billion.
He said NHA relies on its own revenue for maintenance and salaries, as it receives no direct government funding. He added that toll plazas have been made functional at various locations, including Qila Saifullah, Rakhni, Dalbandin, Nokundi and the coastal highway, while efforts are under way to increase income through NOCs and right-of-way charges.
Chamber representatives, including Senior Vice President Haji Akhtar Kakar, expressed concern over the condition of roads and ongoing construction, particularly on the Quetta-Chaman highway, where a recent accident was reported. They urged early completion of development work near Buleli and raised reservations over delays in the Kuchlak–Mastung bypass project via Agberg.
Mr Inayatullah said work on the affected portion of the Quetta-Chaman road would begin within a week, while planning and tendering for the Kuchlak–Mastung bypass project had already been initiated at the headquarters. He stressed the need for local input in development projects and urged the business community to obtain NOCs and support NHA efforts to improve infrastructure.
At the end of the session, the chamber presented a shield to the visiting officials.
