NHA pursuing 71 road infrastructure projects worth Rs 226.98 bln under PSDP 2025-26: Economic Survey

ISLAMABAD, Jun 11 (APP):The National Highway Authority (NHA) is currently implementing 71 strategically important road infrastructure projects with a total allocation of Rs 226.98 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2025-26.

According to the Economic Survey 2025-26 released on Thursday, the road transport infrastructure remained a key driver of economic growth, regional integration, trade facilitation and national connectivity, with the NHA continuing to play a central role in developing reliable, sustainable and modern road networks across the country.

At present, the NHA network comprises 48 national highways, motorways and strategic roads spanning approximately 14,480 kilometers across the country.

According to the survey, the PSDP portfolio is largely focused on the completion of ongoing projects, with 67 schemes receiving Rs 224.83 billion, while four new projects have been allocated Rs 2.15 billion to address emerging connectivity requirements.

During July–March FY 2026, several key infrastructure projects received approvals from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) and the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), aimed at enhancing trade corridors, reducing travel time and improving the capacity and safety of the national transport network.

Among the key approvals, ECNEC cleared revised PC-I proposals for multiple sections of the Karachi-Quetta-Chaman Road (N-25), including Khuzdar-Kuchlak, Karachi (Hub)-Kararo and Wadh-Khuzdar, as well as Kararo-Wadh and Kuchlak-Chaman sections, involving a combined estimated cost exceeding Rs 415 billion. Similarly, the 3rd revised PC-I for the Hyderabad–Sukkur Motorway (M-6), estimated at Rs 363.7 billion, also received approval, reflecting continued emphasis on the development of high-capacity motorway infrastructure under the national connectivity framework.

Approvals were also granted for widening and improvement of sections of the National Highway N-5, rehabilitation and dualization of the Indus Highway (N-55), construction of the Sialkot–Eminabad road up to Kamoki, and extension of the Margalla Highway linking GT Road (N-5) to Motorway (M-1).

Revised PC-Is related to land acquisition for major motorway projects, including the Karachi–Lahore Motorway and Sialkot–Sambrial–Kharian Motorway, were also processed during the period under review.

During July–March FY 2026, the National Highway Authority (NHA) actively processed a number of strategically important PC-Is and revised PC-Is for consideration and approval by ECNEC, CDWP, and relevant forums.

Among the major projects processed during the period were the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M-10) project with an estimated cost of over Rs 511 billion, the Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahawalnagar Motorway estimated at Rs 406.9 billion, and the Ghulam Khan-Esa Khel Motorway project costing Rs 184.5 billion. In addition, revised PCIs for the Khawazakhela-Besham Expressway, rehabilitation and widening of various sections of N-40 and N-65, and the construction of the Kharan-Basima Road were also forwarded for approval, reflecting continued emphasis on enhancing national and regional connectivity, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The survey said projects processed during the period also covered widening of M-1 and M-2 motorways to support integration with the Rawalpindi Ring Road, construction of the Wangu Hill Tunnel on M-8, the Mansehra-Muzaffarabad Expressway, the Lalamusa Bypass on N-5, and several interchanges, bypasses and maintenance schemes designed to improve traffic flow and road safety.

Furthermore, NHA processed several PC-IIs related to feasibility studies, engineering designs and technical assessments for major road and bridge infrastructure projects to ensure technical, economic and environmental viability before implementation.

These included the second revised PC-II for the techno-economic and commercial feasibility study and detailed design of the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M-10) under the PPP mode, and a PC-II for the feasibility study and detailed design of the dualization of the Larkana-Lakhi Road (N-105).

The authority also processed PC-IIs for construction of the Chakai-Murad Pur Bridge in District Haripur, realignment and reconstruction of the Kahuta-Azad Pattan Road affected by landslides in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and hydraulic model studies for a proposed bridge over River Indus connecting Kallur Kot with Dera Ismail Khan.