- CDWP also recommends Eastbay Expressway Phase-II project for consideration, to be funded with a 95% Chinese grant
The federal government has approved the construction of the 306-kilometre Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M-6) at a revised cost of Rs395 billion, a 138% increase from its original approval of Rs165 billion in 2020.
The project, which has undergone multiple revisions since its initial approval, will now be funded through a blend of public sector and private financing. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has made this project a key demand, linking it to their support for the budget.
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, approved the project on Wednesday, with the plan to present it to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.
The federal government has allocated Rs15 billion for the first year of construction, which falls short of the estimated Rs78 billion required. The project is expected to improve regional connectivity, supporting economic growth in the areas along the motorway. The first two sections of the project are being considered for financing under the Public-Private Partnership model, while the remaining sections will be evaluated for commercial viability.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has emphasised the need for a high-level committee to be formed to explore viable funding options and ensure timely completion.
In addition, the CDWP recommended the Eastbay Expressway Phase-II project for further consideration, to be financed with a 95% Chinese grant. The 13.8 km-long expressway will connect the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) with the Eastbay Expressway, enhancing cargo traffic to Gwadar Port.
Furthermore, the CDWP also approved the construction of the Zhob-Makhter road and the road connecting to the Iran border, reflecting the government’s continued focus on improving transportation infrastructure across the country.
