M-6 Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway still at procurement stage; N-25 Karachi-Chaman at 19% after review

The 306 km Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6), with an approved cost of Rs 363.7 billion, has still not moved past the procurement stage, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal was told on Friday at a review of National Highway Authority projects. He directed the NHA to remove procedural bottlenecks and speed up procurement on the M-6 and on the electrical and mechanical works of the Lowari Tunnel, ARY News reported.

The M-6 is the missing link between the Karachi-Hyderabad M-9 and the motorways north of Sukkur. Until it is built, traffic between Karachi and Punjab on the motorway network has to use the National Highway (N-5) through interior Sindh.

Where each project stands

Figures as presented to the minister, rounded to two decimals.

What the minister ordered

• Faster work on the N-25, especially the Karachi-Kararo and Wadh-Khuzdar sections, which carry much of the trade traffic to Quetta and Chaman.
• No unexplained cost increases. Contractors' claims for extra payment must go through technical, contractual and financial scrutiny, with independent third-party checks of costs, quality and quantities.
• A list of projects that a small extra allocation could finish.
• Proposals within 15 days on the outstanding financial claims related to the bypass project.
• Action plans with deadlines for projects held up by money or administrative problems.

What it means for you

For drivers in Sindh and Balochistan, the review confirms that the two biggest promises on the southern road network are still years away: the N-25 dualisation is less than a fifth done, and the M-6 has not yet been contracted. The N-55 Indus Highway between Shikarpur and Rajanpur, at 62%, is the nearest to completion.

Planning a long drive meanwhile? Our fuel cost calculator works out the cost of a trip at today's petrol price.