Govt approves six-lane upgrade of M-12, M-13 motorways

SIALKOT: The Executive Committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has approved the construction of the M-12 (Sialkot–Kharian) and M-13 (Kharian–Rawalpindi) motorways as six-lane roads from the beginning, in a move aimed at avoiding higher future costs and accommodating traffic growth.

The decision follows a detailed review of rising costs, project delays, and future traffic projections. According to the National Highway Authority (NHA), the original four-lane design of the Sialkot–Kharian section was re-evaluated after a hydraulic study at the Chenab River bridge prompted a realignment, delaying land acquisition. A change in scope by the Ministry of Defence and a sharp rise in inflation further increased the project’s cost.

The construction cost for the Sialkot–Kharian motorway has surged from Rs22.5 billion in 2021 to Rs71 billion for six lanes by December 2024. A traffic study conducted later revealed that traffic volume would require expansion to six lanes by 2027, costing an additional Rs20.7 billion. Constructing all six lanes now, however, would only increase the current cost by Rs9.5 billion, leading to estimated savings of Rs11 billion.

On February 27, 2025, the NHA, Public-Private Partnership Authority (P3A), and Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) reviewed three options and recommended building the six-lane road immediately. The SIFC endorsed the proposal, and the Ministry of Communications and NHA were tasked to seek necessary approvals and revise the financing and planning documents accordingly.

The Kharian–Rawalpindi section (M-13) is also being redesigned as a six-lane motorway, with the NHA directed to finalise and resubmit its revised financing plan and PC-1 by April 30, 2025.

Separately, the feasibility study for the M-6 (Sukkur–Hyderabad) motorway has been reviewed by an international consultant. The project has been split into five sections, with an updated cost of Rs399 billion under a public-private partnership. Bidding for the first two sections is expected to start this month, and contract awards are planned by October 2025.

The NHA has been directed to pursue multiple financing avenues while integrating M-6 with the proposed M-10 (New Karachi–Hyderabad) motorway to ensure smooth logistics and connectivity with Karachi Port.

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