Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan revealed plans for a new Mansehra–Naran–Jhalakand–Chilas (MNJC) Motorway during a recent National Highway Authority (NHA) meeting. This motorway will link key locations including Mansehra, Kaghan, Naran, Jhalakand, and Chilas, aiming to improve regional connectivity.
The project is set to be executed in two phases. The initial phase will cover the stretch from Mansehra through Kaghan and Naran up to Babusar Top. The subsequent phase will extend the motorway from Babusar Top to Chilas, completing the route.
Notably, the motorway is designed to provide a safer and more efficient alternative to the Karakoram Highway, reducing travel distance by approximately 120 kilometers compared to the existing route. This development is expected to significantly enhance travel efficiency in the region.
In a significant development, the minister highlighted the motorway’s strategic economic role, as it will serve as a vital corridor connecting western China with the ports of Karachi and Gwadar. This route promises to be the fastest and shortest path from western China to the Arabian Sea, potentially transforming the sustainable development prospects of Gwadar Port.
The project will feature a 13.5-kilometer-long Babusar Tunnel, anticipated to be the longest tunnel in Pakistan, further facilitating smooth transit through mountainous terrain.
The total length of the MNJC Motorway will span 172 kilometers, with infrastructure designed to allow future expansion from four lanes to six lanes to accommodate increasing traffic demands.
Additionally, the NHA plans to establish rest areas every 25 to 30 kilometers along the motorway. Trucking terminals will also be constructed on both sides of the route to support efficient goods transportation.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the NHA provided the Federal Minister with updates on critical issues concerning the authority, ensuring alignment on ongoing and future projects.
