NHA approves 172km motorway from Mansehra to Chilas via Kaghan
ISLAMABAD: The National Highway Authority (NHA) has approved the construction of a 172-kilometre motorway from Mansehra to Chilas through Kaghan, Naran and Jhal Khand, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.
The decision was announced after a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan. The statement said the new motorway, referred to as MNJC, will serve as an alternative route to the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and is expected to shorten travel on the existing corridor by as much as 120 kilometres.
Project to be completed in two phases
According to the official statement, the scheme will be executed in two stages. In the first phase, the motorway will be developed from Mansehra through Kaghan and Naran to Babusar Top. The second phase will extend the project from Babusar Top to Chilas.
A key feature of the project is a 13.5-kilometre Babusar Tunnel, which the statement said will be the longest tunnel in Pakistan. The motorway is planned as a four-lane facility, with provision to widen it to six lanes in the future in line with projected requirements.
The plan also includes the construction of modern rest areas at intervals of 25 to 30 kilometres for travellers. In addition, dedicated trucking terminals for freight movement will be established on both sides of the motorway.
Minister highlights trade and connectivity benefits
During the meeting, Abdul Aleem Khan said trade moving from the Arabian Sea to China through existing routes takes considerable time and results in high financial costs. He said the new motorway will connect directly with China and link western China with the ports of Karachi and Gwadar.
The minister said the route would provide the fastest, shortest and most economical connection from the Arabian Sea to western China, reducing both travel time and transport costs. He added that the network would support the long-term development of Gwadar Port.
At the end of the meeting, the minister directed the relevant authorities to complete all technical aspects of the project within the prescribed timeframe. The secretary of communications and the NHA chairman also attended the meeting, according to the statement.