RAHIM YAR KHAN: The Sukkur-Multan motorway (M-5) will be opened for traffic on Oct 1 and Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to inaugurate it, Dawn has learnt.

It is being handed over to the National Highways Authority (NHA) after its completion and recruitment of the police, construction of service areas and technical facilities for motorists by the NHA is in final stage. The motorway will reduce the travel between Sukkur and Multan from three to six hours.

The M-5 has been completed within the stipulated time, Project Manager Ge Lingbo told Dawn on Thursday.

“The 392km road has been constructed by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) within three years and it is first China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project which has been completed.”

Mr Lingbo claimed that the standard of M-5 was of the highest level when compared to motorways across Asia. He said there were 100 bridges, 428 underpasses or subways, 12 interchanges, six service areas, five rest areas and 22 toll stations on the road.

“The interchanges are at Sher Shah, Shujaabad, Jalalpur Pirwala, Khairpur Daha, Uch Sharif, Taranda Muhammad Pannah, Zahirpir, Rahim Yar Khan, Murid Shakh, Ghotki, Pannu Aqil and Sukkur. The service areas are at Shujaabad, Uch Sharif, Fatehpur Kamal, Jamaldin Wali, Ghotki and Pannu Aqil.”

Mr Lingbo further said the six-lane M-5 had seven sections, of 54km to 57km length and the CSCEC planted 400,000 trees along the M-5 on a service road to control pollution.

The deputy project managers of M-5 section, Mr Liyu and Mr Chen Jun, claimed that M-5 would protect the south western areas of the Indus from flood.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.