Sindh motorway, highway projects get Rs49.3bn in FY27

ISLAMABAD, Aug 11 (APP):Sindh’s motorway and highway infrastructure is set for a major boost in the current financial year, with Rs49.305 billion earmarked for key projects, including the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway and rehabilitation of the flood-damaged N-5 corridor.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the Sindh component of the National Highway Authority’s Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27 includes nine motorway and highway projects with a combined approved PC-I cost of Rs594.977 billion.

Cumulative expenditure on these schemes stood at Rs122.508 billion by June 2026, while their remaining throw-forward liability was recorded at Rs472.469 billion as of July 1, 2026.

The FY27 allocation comprises Rs8.055 billion in local funding and Rs41.25 billion in foreign assistance.

The biggest share, Rs30 billion, has been earmarked for the 306-kilometre Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway, a six-lane, divided and fenced facility planned on a build-operate-transfer basis.

The project has an approved cost of Rs363.7 billion and a throw-forward of Rs363.691 billion. The allocation for this project includes Rs2 billion in local funding and Rs28 billion in foreign assistance. According to the document, the procurement process is expected to be finalised in November 2026.

Another Rs9 billion has been allocated for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the N-5 section between Moro and Ranipur, covering kilometres 318 to 404 on both the northbound and southbound carriageways, as well as the restoration of 32 damaged bridges.

The project, costing Rs57.245 billion, had utilised Rs13.224 billion by June 2026, leaving a throw-forward of Rs44.021 billion. Its annual allocation consists of Rs1.75 billion in rupee funding and Rs7.25 billion in foreign assistance. Physical progress stands at 23 per cent on Lot-1 and 19pc on Lot-2, with completion targeted for June 30, 2027.

The NHA has earmarked Rs5 billion for the construction of an additional carriageway (221.9km) on the Indus Highway (N-55) between Shikarpur and Rajanpur. The funding also includes Rs4 billion in foreign assistance.

Against an approved cost of Rs44.704 billion, expenditure on the project currently stands at Rs32.108 billion, with throw-forward of Rs12.596 billion. Progress has reached 24pc on Lot-1, 21pc on Lot-2, 79pc on Lot-3 and 73pc on Lot-4. The project is targeted for completion in October 2026.

A further Rs2.5 billion has been allocated for the China-aided rehabilitation of the 66km Hala-Moro section of N-5. With an approved budget of Rs27.973 billion, the project’s procurement process is now finalised.

The construction of a four-lane flyover at the junction of N-5 and N-65 in Sukkur, together with approach roads, has been allocated Rs1 billion. The Rs2.792 billion scheme has achieved 62pc physical progress and is targeted for completion by April 13, 2027, subject to the availability of funds.

An allocation of Rs800 million has been made for land acquisition, payment of compensation to affected properties and relocation of utilities for the 959km Karachi-Lahore Motorway. The Rs66.742 billion scheme has reached 68pc physical progress and is expected to be completed by December 2026, subject to funding availability.

The Bhong Interchange on the Sukkur-Multan Motorway has received Rs100 million. The Rs1.780 billion project is 75pc complete and scheduled for completion by August 31, 2026.

The CAREC Corridor Development Investment Programme Tranche-I projects have been allocated Rs830 million. Sections 1 and 3 are complete, while Section 2 has achieved 95% physical progress.

An allocation of Rs75 million has also been made for the commercial feasibility of the proposed new Karachi-Hyderabad motorway under the public-private partnership model.