Frontier Works Organisation
By Col. Mudesar ul Haque
Dec 06 - 12, 1999
Frontier Works Organisation, is a dynamic name in the field of civil
engineering at national/international levels. It is the only organisation in Pakistan
which has very large and highly trained manpower and which maintains a huge inventory of
plant and equipment to undertake project of varied nature. Frontier Works Organisation was
raised in 1966, for construction of Karakoram Highway and its subsequent maintenance. As
time passes, Frontier Works Organisation developed into a highly credible force which
attracted numerous clients, ready to for utilize its great potential in new avenues.
In September 1997, National Highway Authority planned to inaugurate
Lahore-Islamabad Motorway. A necessity, therefore, arose for creating a system for
operation and management of motorway. This was an extremely difficult problem with no easy
solution as there was no precedence for such work in Pakistan. But once the name of
Frontier Works Organisation was suggested for the task the planners heaved a sigh of
relief and handed over the responsibilities for operation and management of motorway to
Frontier Works Organisation without any reservation. To mobilize the manpower and procure
the equipment needed was a mammoth task and demanded tireless efforts on the part of
Frontier Works Organisation. This was achieved in a record time of a little more than a
month enabling National Highway Authority to open the Motorway on 26 November 1997 as
planned.
Tasks assigned to Frontier Works Orwanisation
The Motorway passes through remote areas, hence immediate first aid and
medical care is not readily available in case of an accident. Also hindrance to the
traffic using the motorway, due to presence of an accidental vehicle is not desirable as
it may have serious repercussions. To address these problems in an appropriate manner and
also to collect toll, following tasks have been assigned to Frontier Works Organisation:
Orzanisation of the Task Force
Frontier Works Organisation, by design, always prefers a functional
organisation, without wasteful overheads, which can give desired quick response. The
organisation of motorway management setup has been worked out keeping in view these
fundamental principles. It is pertinent to mention that the organisation of motorway
operation and management was based purely on the expertise of Frontier Works Organisation,
without incorporating advice of any consultant as the same were not available. It may be
of interest to note that the organisation created by Frontier Works Organistaion which is
on ground since 19 November 1997, is almost the same which was worked out by the French
consultant who arrived in Pakistan after opening of the Motorway. Frontier Works
Organisation employed four management teams each headed by a Lieutenant Colonel under the
over all operational control of a Project Director (of the rank of Colonel). The
management teams are located at Sheikhupura, Bhera, Belkasar and Thalian with tasks of
collection of toll duties from the interchange falling under their areas of control and
provide rescue and recovery services in their areas of responsibilities.
Other agencies involved and their responsibilities
Apart from Frontier Works Organisation, few other agencies have also
been assigned some responsibilities in connection with operation and management of the
Motorway. These agencies include Pakistan Motorway Police with the responsibilities of
patrolling the Motorway for traffic control, reporting accidents/broken down vehicles and
to provide first aid to the injured. Pakistan Revenue Automation (Private) Limited was
responsible for providing backup support for computerized toll equipment.
Manpower
Keeping in view the nature of the task assigned to Frontier Works
Organisation, the manpower required was fairly large. A total of 1176 personnel was the
absolute minimum. The required strength of different categories of manpower was made up by
recruiting 341 persons from the civil in addition to Frontier Works Organisation's own
resources.
Transports plant and equipment
Large number of vehicles and other equipment required to perform the
assigned tasks, included jeeps, cars, pickups trucks, water bowzers, ambulances, recovery
vehicles, fire crash tenders, cranes and front end loaders, arranged by Frontier Works
Organisation are deployed on the motorway.
Toll collection
Frontier Works Organisation established manual method of toll
collection as it could anticipate that computerized system of toll collection involving
use of magnetic card will not work due to many reasons. The procedure worked out had built
in checks to stop possibility of pilferage of toll collections. It may be of interest to
note that as per international standards, if the toll pilferage is from 8 to 10 per cent
of total amount collected, the system is considered to be most efficient. Frontier Works
Organisation is proud to claim pilferage free toll collection.
Training of personnel
Although Frontier Works Organisation has well trained manpower which
can easily be groomed to switch over to the task of operation and management of motorway,
yet some training was required to be given to military as well as civilian manpower,
therefore, different training courses were run for military as well as civilian personnel
to make them proficient in practicing their trades. Special arrangements were made to
train toll operators, shift supervisors, drivers, fire tender operators and nursing staff.
Traffic Management System
The sequence of actions for evacuation of casualties and recovery of
accidental vehicles as devised by Frontier Works Organisation is as follows:
The accident will be reported to Motorway Police Control by patrolling
police, giving location/place of accident and other necessary details.
Motorway Police will provide necessary first aid to accident victims
pending arrival of doctor and para medical staff of Frontier Works Organisation.
The Motorway Police Control will inform Motorway Police patrol cars and
Frontier Works Organisation Control giving details about the location of the site and
other details.
Required number of ambulances, one recovery vehicle and one fire engine
(if required) will immediately be rushed to the site of accident from the nearest
Management Team by Frontier Works Organisation Control. In the mean time, Motorway Police
cars will reach the scene of accident and place caution/warning signs on inner/outer
shoulders of the motorway at appropriate distance from the site of accident and block the
lanes covered by accidental vehicles using traffic cones.
Communication network
During planning, it was realised that communication is the nerve centre
for controlling operation and management of motorway. Accordingly special attention was
given to this aspect. An elaborate system of communication using wireless and telephone
was installed to cover entire length of Motorway. Communication arrangements made include
installation of base stations at all toll plazas and camps, mobile stations in every
vehicle of Frontier Works Organisation, wireless sets, telephones and Fax facilities.
Apart from communication between different units and headquarters, Motorola sets have been
provided on all rescue operation vehicles such as ambulances, recovery vehicle and
craties.
Operation and management of a Motorway is first experience of its kind
by Frontier Works Organisation. Lot of difficulties were faced in the initial stages when
the procedures were being evolved/streamlined on ground but with the dedication of
officers, junior commissioned officers, other ranks and civil employees of Frontier Works
Organisation, we have overcome almost all the hurdles and the operation is now been
conducted in an extremely efficient and smooth manner. Frontier Works Organisation is and
will (lnsha Allah) prove itself, worthy of the trust reposed in it by the nation.
