Strengthening and Improvement of Peshawar Torkham Road Quarterly Progress Report # 1 (December 2012)

The project aims to enhance accessibility to remote areas, improve logistics for law enforcement agencies, and facilitate trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The project is sponsored by the FATA Secretariat and executed by the Frontier Works Organization (FWO). The project involves the widening, strengthening, and improvement of the existing two-lane carriageway from Peshawar to Torkham. The road will feature a 12.3-meter-wide blacktop with a 7.3-meter carriageway and 2.5-meter shoulders on either side. The project is divided into five sections, with Section I covering the first 9 kilometers from Peshawar to Torkham. Construction work on Section I began on November 7, 2012, with FWO mobilizing its staff and machinery. The project's construction schedule was not provided by FWO, so progress was evaluated against the total estimated quantities and cost provided in the Project Completion Plan (PC-1). During the month of October 2012, FWO established its office at Jamrud Town and mobilized some of its staff and machinery. In November 2012, major activities included joint survey work, identification of traffic diversion, and earthwork along both side shoulders between kilometers 5 and 7. In December 2012, earthwork was extended to kilometer 9, and dismantling of existing structures was initiated. Requisite tests on construction materials were conducted by FWO, but the test results and reports were still pending. Overall progress of construction work during December 2012 was relatively slow due to managerial staff being tasked with additional assignments, inclement weather, and a bomb blast in Jamrud Bazar. The Environmental Compliance Officer of the M&E Consultants visited the site and reported on the environmental aspects of the project. Other activities accomplished in the first quarter include mobilizing staff and machinery, preparing a draft Quality Assurance Plan, and conducting joint visits by senior engineers from M&E Consultants, USAID, FWO, NESPAK, and NHA. Temporary Bench Mark (TBM) fixing, TBM checking, X-section recording, and center line marking were also completed in Section I. The project is expected to be completed within 24 months, with the completion period starting from October 2012. The project is being implemented under the Conditions of Contract for EPC (Engineer, Procure, Construction)/Turnkey Projects (FIDIC Conditions of Contract – 1999).