$100 million estimated value. Groundbreaking for three-year project in northwest frontier province as part of Indus Highway from Peshawar to Karachi. 1.9 km tunnel with 28 km of access roads bypassing Kohat city in the south and Darra Adam Khel in the north. August 1999.   Letter of acceptance received by contractors Taisei of Japan on June 11th, 1999. Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund of Japan has funded this project, designed by Pacific Consultant International of Japan and Mouchel of UK, who will carry on to supervise construction. Sept 1999.   Mouchel reports start of construction work by Taisei Corporation on 1.885 km-long tunnel utilising $49 million loan from OECF of Japan. More information from www.mouchel.com November 1999.   The Rawalpindi Bench of Lahore High Court (LHC) on 25th November, 1999 suspended Taisei Corporation’s contract to construct the Kohat tunnel on the grounds that the contractor does not have a working license for Pakistan. The petition was brought by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) who also challenged both the award of the contract to Taisei and the prequalification of the company. December 1999.   Pacific Consultants International reports 70% of excavation of 1.885 km-long Kohat tunnel and construction of 50% of 30 km access roads completed. Excavation from Darra Adam Khel portal to commence this week for completion end-2001. Visit www.taisei.com 24/01.   Taisei International reports 1.3 km of total 1.89 km of mining complete and 800 m shotcrete lining complete. Tunnelling from Darra Adamkel portal commenced June, with 15 m completed. Visit www.taisei.com 30/01.   JBIC will loan Y4,032 million this fiscal year through ODA to help fund second phase of construction. Repayments over 30 years, with 10 years grace, and 1.8% interest. 2 km-long concrete drains are being installed on both sides of the tunnel to the south portal to cope with up to 2,500 lit/min water ingress. 1.4 km of the tunnel is complete, with 3.4 m/day advance on south face and 0.5 m/day on north face. Breakthrough expected January, 2002. Visit www.taisei.com 36/01.  Work has been stopped at the Rs7 billion 1,885 m-long Kohat tunnel after Japanese contrator Taisei decided to go back in the wake of US air strikes against Afghanistan. To date, some 1,300 metres have been tunnelled from the south side, and sixteen metres from the north one while 750 metres have been lined with concrete. Initially, completion was scheduled by February, 2002, and commissioning by mid-2003. Design and construction supervision by Mouchel. Kohat will be the longest road tunnel in Pakistan. 46/01.