Lahore: The National Highway Authority (NHA) is set to open the 59-kilometre (km) Hazara Motorway for operations in the first week of November, a news source reported. The project is a significant part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the authority confirmed that it would cost PKR 34.37 billion.
Also called the Hassanabdal-Havelian Motorway (E-35), the NHA had revised the project’s PC-1 from PKR 30.97 billion to PKR 34.37 billion, after its conversion from four to six lanes.
The starting point of the motorway is at the Burhan Interchange on the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M-1).The project features three more sections. These include the Hasanabdal-Jarikas, Jarikas-Serai Saleh, and Serai Saleh-Havelian sections. The expressway has a total of 44 bridges and flyovers, 163 box culverts, and 29 underpasses.
According to sources, a 47-km patch of the motorway between Burhan and Shah Maqsood Interchange has been operational since December 2018. The remaining 12-km is currently under-construction, but has almost been completed. Once this happens, the NHA will make E-35 fully operational. This project will provide the facility of a modern six-lane road to the people of Abbottabad, Havelian, Mansehra, and adjoining areas.
Meanwhile, the E-35 Motorway will cut down the drive time from Islamabad to Havelian to 30 minutes, along with providing road access to the Havelian Dry Port. The project will also create plenty of employment opportunities, boost the region’s socio-economic conditions, and provide possibilities for new businesses.
