ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank has approved $200m for Pakistan’s National Trade Corridor Highway Investment Programme that will improve sub-regional connectivity within Pakistan, and to China, Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries, according to official sources.

The Hasanabdal-Havellian expressway project which will cost $238m is also part of the Central Asia Regional Economic Connectivity (CAREC). Being Pak investment, the government will contribute $38m towards the project.

The project will improve regional connectivity through improving linkages with the neioghbouring countries and developing inter-provincial linkages to improve sub-regional connectivity.

The project will connect existing M1 at Hasanabdal to Havellian, and will further extend to Abbottabad and Mansehra to north. It is almost parallel with the existing N-5 national highway, the country’s longest highway running from Karachi to the border crossing at Torkham.

Due to high traffic volume and deteriorated road condition, the Hasanabdal-Havellian expressway has become necessary in order to improve the sub-regional and regional connectivity.

The proposed project will construct a north-south access controlled highway system to link the northern area of the country to existing expressway network and lead to better connectivity within Pakistan, to China and Afghanistan and other Central Asian countries.

It will be part of the Karakoram highway which connects Kashgar to Abbottabad and extends to meet the grand trunk road at Hasanabad.

The ADB observed that about 9,000 households will be affected by the project, and the impacts vary from household to household, and primarily involved the acquisition of portions of agricultural land.