National Highway Authority (NHA) is searching for a new motorway path across the Salt Range
The National Highway Authority (NHA) has decided to explore a safer route for the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M2) through the Salt Range area. This section is currently known for being the slowest and most hazardous part of the motorway.
In a recent meeting led by Secretary Communications Ali Sher Mehsud, the Departmental Development Working Party approved a feasibility study for the project. NHA is now in search of a reputable consultancy firm to update the feasibility study and develop a detailed plan for the realignment.
The Islamabad-Lahore Motorway, which was completed in 1997, is a vital link in Pakistan’s motorway network. However, the section passing through the Salt Range is notorious for frequent accidents, natural disasters, and steep climbs, particularly challenging for cargo vehicles due to its 7% uphill gradient.
Despite efforts to reduce speeds, this 10-kilometer stretch with a 7% downward slope has witnessed numerous fatal accidents, including tragic incidents such as a school bus brake failure that led to the death of 40 children. Another incident involved a passenger bus losing control due to brake failure, resulting in a collision that claimed 20 lives.
This hazardous section begins after the Kallar Kahar interchange when traveling from Islamabad to Lahore. Since the motorway’s opening, over 350 accidents have occurred in the Salt Range, resulting in more than 200 fatalities. With traffic demands increasing, NHA emphasizes the urgency of finding effective solutions to enhance safety and accommodate future traffic growth. The proposed plan includes constructing tunnels and viaducts, with an initial assessment suggesting the need for tunnels spanning 1,115 meters in length. Once completed, these improvements are expected to increase the designed speed to 90 km/h.
A previous study in 2006 recommended constructing a new route for heavy traffic to mitigate risks of landslides, but the project faced delays despite strong support from then-Chairman NHA, Maj-Gen (retired) Farrukh Javed.
