NHA to spend Rs22 billion on two major road projects in Gilgit region

ISLAMABAD, Dec 03 (APP): The National Highway Authority (NHA) will spend more than Rs22 billion on two major road projects aimed at improving connectivity and accelerating socio-economic development in the Gilgit region.
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the NHA has approved the construction of the 153-kilometre Chitral–Booni–Mastuj–Shandur (CBMS) Road and the 46-kilometre Chitral–Ayun–Bumburate (CAB) Road. Together, the two routes—spanning nearly 200 kilometres—will cost Rs22.44 billion and cover key localities in Chitral, Shandur and Bumburate.
The CBMS Road will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 17.78 billion, while the CAB Road will require Rs 4.65 billion.
A senior official at the Ministry of Communications told Wealth Pakistan that the CBMS Road will consist of two lanes with a 100-metre right of way. It has been divided into four sections: Chitral–Pret (39 km), Pret–Booni (40 km), Booni–Shaidas (38 km), and Shaidas–Shandur (35 km).
He said physical work on the project has already begun. “As planned, the CBMS Road will start in Chitral and reach Shandur, covering localities such as Mori Payeen, Maroi, Pret, Barenis, Green Lasht, Reshun, Cherun, Jonali Cooch, Booni, Mastuj, Parwak, Laspur River, Onshit, Shaidas, Ghast, Raman, Harchin, Brook, Balim and Surlaspur,” he explained. Once completed, the road will provide a strong linkage between two major national highways — N-45 and N-35 — and also serve as an alternative route for economic activities during snowfall when other major routes are closed.
Similarly, the CAB Road project will be completed in two sections, and construction has already begun on the first segment. The route will significantly improve access to Ayun Valley and the scenic Kalash Valley.
He said the new roads would help ease traffic congestion on connected routes by distributing the vehicle load more efficiently and reducing bottlenecks across Chitral and neighbouring valleys.
NHA Spokesperson Mazhar Hussain told Wealth Pakistan that the two projects are expected to generate major economic benefits for the region. “Improved connectivity between Chitral, Shandur and Bumburate will reduce travel time for traders and transporters, lowering the cost of moving agricultural products, gemstones, handicrafts and other local goods to markets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan,” he said.
He added that upgraded access is also likely to boost tourism in the Kalash and Upper Chitral valleys, encouraging private investment in hospitality, transport and small businesses.
“Socially, the new roads will offer residents safer, all-weather mobility, improving access to schools, hospitals and government services. They will also strengthen emergency response by enabling faster movement of rescue teams during harsh winters or natural disasters,” he said.
According to estimates, more than 350,000 people across the three valleys will directly benefit from smoother travel, better supply chains and more job opportunities emerging from construction activities and tourism expansion.