(Digital Itla) The decision has been made to directly connect the proposed Mansehra-Chilas Motorway project with China, which is being hailed as a major part of the regional transport and trade network. An important meeting of the National Highway Authority (NHA) was held under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, where the progress and various technical aspects of the project were reviewed in detail.
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Project Route: The briefing revealed that this new motorway will connect Mansehra, Kaghan, Naran, Jhalshand, and Chilas, and will eventually be linked directly to China.
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Phased Development: The project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will construct the motorway from Mansehra to Babusar Top, while the second phase will extend it to Chilas. This route will serve as a modern and safe alternative to the Karakoram Highway.
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Benefits: The Federal Minister stated that this project will reduce travel distance by approximately 120 km, resulting in significant savings of both time and fuel.
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Key Features: The total length of the proposed motorway will be 172 km, including a 13.5 km long Babusar Tunnel, which will be one of the longest tunnels in Pakistan. The network will connect Western China to the ports of Karachi and Gwadar, providing a faster and shorter land route to the Arabian Sea.
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Design Specifications: The initial design includes a four-lane motorway, with provision to expand it to six lanes in the future. Rest areas are proposed every 25 to 30 km, along with trucking terminals for freight vehicles.
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