The PC-1 was prepared showing cost of the project at Rs 9.6 billion based on CSR-2009 rates whereas ECNEC rationalized its cost up to Rs 9.002 billion. Originally PC-1 was approved on CSR-2009 rates. However except Package-1 and 3A, bids of Package-2 and 3-B were approved on CSR-2014 rates. Hence the current construction bid cost of all packages stands at Rs 9.596 billion.
Moreover additional structures were not included in original PC-1, whereas due to site requirements, they are required in all packages due to which the construction cost of all packages stands at Rs 11.135 billion. In addition to that contingencies charges, the NHA establishment charges, design & supervision charges, cost of escalation, cost of land acquisition & relocation of utilities and environmental charges also increased the estimated cost manifold up to Rs 21.338 billion.
Moreover the substantial growth of new housing colonies and commercial areas built along the project alignment has resulted in overwhelming increase in the cost of land. Due to inclusion of additional structures, embankment height was also increased and similarly earth work quantities were also increased.
In original PC-1 the project was planned for completion by 4th quarter of fiscal year 2011-12, but it has been delayed much beyond its target date. It was also due to delay in procurement proceedings, as only 7.6 km portion (Package-1) was awarded on 9th February 2010 and original completion date was 8th May 2011; however due to delay in land acquisition and relocation of utilities, it was completed by 24th Sep 2014.
The 11.9km portion (Package-2) was awarded on 22nd Sep, 2015 and original completion date was 21st March, 2017; however, due to delay in land acquisition and relocation of utilities, it was extended up to 15th Sep 2018 and currently 6 percent progress has been achieved. Further 5.38 km portion (Package-3A) was awarded on 3rd July, 2013 and original completion date was 4th October 2014; however, due to delay in land acquisition and relocation of utilities, it is proposed for extension up to 31st August 2018 and currently 35 percent progress has been achieved. The last portion of PNBP is package-3B comprising 5.736km length where procurement formalities are nearing completion and letter of acceptance is issued to successful bidder on 7th August 2017. After verification of performance guarantees, contract was be signed by end-January 2018. The expected completion period of package-3B is 18 months.
The PNBP was initially a part of Peshawar Ring Road, which was handed over to NHA in 2003. The original project was approved by the ECNEC on 4th August 2005, at a cost of Rs 3.078 billion. However, due to certain impeding factors including excessive urbanization, aggravated by issues relating to land acquisition and the bypass alignment, the project was resurveyed. Subsequently further slight modification was made in the alignment which was selected for the project with a total length of 32.2 km.
The revised PC-l was prepared which showed the project cost Rs 9.6 billion, whereas ECNEC approved amount of Rs 9.002 billion. The project was taken up in July 2009, and was scheduled for completion in 36 months ie by the end of financial year 2011-12.
The revised scheme is 32.2 km long with 4-lane bypass with service roads on either side, on the northern side of Peshawar city. The revised scheme is under-construction along a new alignment passing through agricultural land. The proposed bypass will take off from the Peshawar main toll plaza of the Motorway M- 1 (end point) and head towards Jamrud on the National Highway N-5. It will pass through the north of Peshawar, providing connection with the motorway network.