Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has announced that work on the Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway will begin this year.
Speaking in Karachi, the minister said the project would start from Sukkur and is expected to be completed within two years.
He also announced plans for a new motorway between Karachi and Hyderabad. The new road will not be connected to the existing M-9 motorway.
Aleem Khan described the project as a major development for the people of Sindh and other parts of the country.
He said the government wants to improve road connectivity and provide better transportation facilities across the province.
The minister made the announcement while speaking alongside leaders of the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance.
He also discussed several issues faced by goods transporters across the country. The government, he said, will arrange dedicated space for truck stands.
Rest areas will also be developed for transporters. These facilities will include the basic services needed by drivers during long-distance journeys.
Aleem Khan further assured transporters that unfair traffic challans would not be issued. However, he stressed that transporters must follow the law.
He particularly urged truck operators to comply with approved axle-load limits. Vehicles carrying more than the permitted weight could damage roads and create safety risks.
The minister said the government was willing to address all genuine demands of transporters. However, he added that he would only make commitments that could be fully implemented.
The announcement comes after a nationwide goods transporters’ strike created disruptions in the country’s freight movement. The government has been holding talks with transporters to resolve their concerns.
The proposed motorway projects are expected to improve road connectivity between major cities in Sindh. They could also support trade, transportation and economic activity along the route.
The Sukkur-Hyderabad and Karachi-Hyderabad routes are important links for passenger and freight traffic. Improved highways could help reduce travel times and provide better alternatives for heavy vehicles.
The government is now expected to begin the required planning and development work for the new motorway projects.
Also read: LHC Confirms Death Sentences in Motorway Rape Case
