Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M-1) is likely to be opened for all types of traffic by July this year, if Rs 3 billion required for the completion of the project are provided to the National Highway Authority (NHA), said an official source here on Sunday. Talking with APP the NHA official said Islamabad-Burhan section and Rashakai-Charsadda section of M-1 have already been opened for traffic while the remaining three sections – Burhan-Swabi,Swabi-Rashakai and Charsadda-Peshawar sections would also be opened for traffic by July this year.

The source said that Indus Bridge has already been opened for traffic while the work on Kabul Bridge was in full swing and will be opened for traffic soon.

He said that Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) was an important project and its quality construction was top priority of NHA.   

He said interchanges would be constructed at Burhan, Swabi, Rashakai, Charsadda, Fatehjang, Jhang Bahtar and Chhach.

The NHA official said that 18 fly-overs, 2 service areas, 5 rest areas and 556 culverts were also included in the project.

He said that 152 km Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) would be a 6-lane motorway similar to the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2), and would help promote inter-provincial harmony.

He said M-1 is being completed by Pakistani construction companies and completion of this project will be a big achievement which will help make country self-reliant in the field of construction.

The source said that M-1 would provide faster and alternate route between Islamabad and Peshawar and cater for international traffic from Central Asian republics, China and Afghanistan to the ports in Pakistan and industrial areas. It will also help reduce transportation costs ultimately benefiting the consumers, he added.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan