LAHORE: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Monday visited several rest areas along the Lahore–Islamabad Motorway (M2), expressing dissatisfaction over the poor condition of facilities and directing authorities to improve services for travelers.
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During the inspection, the minister interacted with commuters at different rest areas and personally reviewed the condition of rest houses, food outlets and shops. He stressed the importance of providing quality amenities and maintaining uniform service standards across all motorway rest facilities.
Aleem Khan instructed the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and the National Highway Authority (NHA) to jointly prepare a comprehensive improvement plan within 15 days. The plan will focus on expanding rest areas, introducing a standardized layout for shops and ensuring the availability of food and beverages at fixed and affordable prices.
He also directed officials to compile and analyze data on the daily volume of vehicles using the M2. The data-driven approach, he said, would help authorities plan future expansions and ensure that rest areas can efficiently manage peak traffic flows.
During his visit to the Bhera Rest Area, several overseas Pakistanis appreciated recent improvements in travel facilities. One traveler noted that communication and transport infrastructure in Pakistan was steadily improving, reflecting positively on government initiatives.
The minister emphasized that rest areas should be both functional and visually appealing. He said expanded, well-decorated rest areas with uniform shop designs would significantly enhance comfort and safety for motorists traveling on the motorway.
