The Senate Standing Committee on Communications has expressed concern over the granting of interchanges on motorways to private housing societies, saying that it has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) not to involve in the expansion of private institutions. .
According to a press release issued by the Senate Secretariat on Monday evening: For the purpose of constructing an interchange on the motorway, a private housing society can give 4000 kanals of land at the rate of Rs 60 thousand per kanal along with a fee of Rs 50 lakh.
The agenda of the meeting included a discussion on the notice raised by Senator Mohsin Aziz regarding the problems faced by passengers going to Islamabad International Airport from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The meeting held a detailed discussion about the issue of No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the private housing society Capital Smart City of Islamabad for the construction of Motorway Interchange.
Senator Aoun Abbas questioned the legality of giving NOC to the new colony on the M2 Motorway.
Chairman NHA clarified that according to the policy governing interchanges, if a housing society has 4,000 kanals of land, it is eligible for interchange, while the related fee is Rs 50 lakh, with a rate of 60 thousand Per kanal is Rs.
He further said that the future locations of interchanges on the motorway will be announced soon.
Senator Talal Chaudhry emphasized that the interchange for this society is strategically located at the entrance of the motorway and should be established as an official interchange like the others.
Officials said that 14 institutions are involved in giving permission for the construction of the interchange.
Senator Chaudhry requested that a comparative review of the previous policy be done and the new policy be presented to the committee.
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He insisted that a smart city interchange should not be designated until all these required conditions are met.
Chairman of the committee Pervez Rasheed remarked that private business interests are increasing with this interchange.
He warned that NHA is in danger of becoming a business partner under the guise of social development.
He noted that the barriers were not visible at any of the interchanges and there was only one exception, which he lamented.
He stressed that the future policy should benefit the motorway rather than the private sector.
In response to a question, Chairman NHA suggested that citizens traveling from Peshawar should use Fateh Jhang exit instead of Islamabad Interchange to reach the airport.
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#Senate #Committees #concern #giving #motorways #housing #societies
**Interview with Senator Mohsin Aziz: Concerns Over Motorway Interchanges for Housing Societies**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Senator Aziz. Recently, the Senate Standing Committee on Communications expressed grave concerns regarding the granting of interchanges on motorways to private housing societies. Can you explain why this issue is significant?
**Senator Mohsin Aziz:** Thank you for having me. This issue is significant because it directly impacts the infrastructure and urban planning of our regions. Interchanges are critical access points on the motorway, and giving them to private housing societies raises concerns about prioritizing private profit over public needs. We must ensure that these developments do not compromise the efficiency and safety of our road systems.
**Interviewer:** The committee has requested the National Highway Authority (NHA) not to get involved with the expansion of private institutions. What prompted this directive?
**Senator Aziz:** The directive stems from a broader concern regarding transparency and accountability in granting such permissions. Our committee believes that the focus should be on improving public transport infrastructure rather than facilitating private housing societies, which may not always operate in the public interest. We want to protect our road networks from being exploited for profit.
**Interviewer:** There was a discussion about the criteria for a housing society to build an interchange, which includes a substantial amount of land and a hefty fee. How do you view these requirements?
**Senator Aziz:** While the requirements for land and fees exist, they do not fully address the potential impact on traffic and community development. A housing society’s ability to pay does not always equate to its responsibility to the public. We must assess the long-term implications on traffic patterns and accessibility for all road users.
**Interviewer:** The committee also examined the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Capital Smart City project. What are your thoughts on the legality of granting an NOC for such housing societies?
**Senator Aziz:** I raised concerns about the legality of granting NOCs to private housing societies on motorways, especially when we lack comprehensive assessments showing that these interchanges will benefit the public. Any decision that prioritizes one entity over another needs to be scrutinized thoroughly to prevent potential misuse of authority.
**Interviewer:** Moving forward, what steps should be taken to address these concerns effectively?
**Senator Aziz:** First, we need a moratorium on granting new interchanges to private societies until a comprehensive policy review is conducted. We should also engage with stakeholders, including urban planners and community representatives, to draft regulations that prioritize public transport needs and maintain the integrity of our motorway system.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Senator Aziz, for sharing your insights on this critical issue. It’s clear that much work lies ahead to balance development with public interest.
**Senator Aziz:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important conversation that we must continue for the welfare of our community and infrastructure.