DURING Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar’s scheduled visit to Beijing to attend the mega event of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum Pakistan and China are poised to sign agreements to foster cooperation in different areas, especially under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is rightly considered to be the flagship project of the historic initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at linking together five continents of the globe in a well-knitted multi-faced cooperative chain. The accords to be signed would include two important projects relating to infrastructure development for which spadework has been done by the National Highway Authority (NHA) in close coordination with other relevant ministries and departments as well as the concerned Chinese authorities.
The first project relates to much-needed upgradation, improvement and modernization of the Karakoram Highway, which is not only proudly described as the Friendship Highway but also ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ for being a remarkable feat of engineering. The 1,300 kilometre highway, completed in 1978 after 16 years of hard-work and sacrifices, needed upgradation because of wear and tear as well as to make it responsive to the modern day requirements. Therefore, Pakistan and China decided in 2005 to undertake the gigantic task of its modernization and in the first phase its 335 kilometre portion from Raikot to Khunjerab was completed in 2013. The launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2013 ushered in a new vision for the Karakoram Highway. It was no longer just a road; it was poised for a comprehensive makeover.
The goal was to transform it into a world-class thoroughfare, characterized by heightened safety standards, improved road geometry, and an array of modern features. Now the two countries plan to undertake the work on Thakot-Raikot section, a critical segment of the KKH, which would undergo a substantial transformation. This route, bridging Thakot and Raikot, plays a pivotal role in the broader KKH and even CPEC infrastructure network, which acts as a vital link between Pakistan and the expanding realm of Chinese trade and commerce. CPEC’s second phase saw the transformation of the E-35 section from Havelian to Thakot, stretching across approximately 120 kilometres.
This redevelopment introduced a motorway section that links Havelian to Mansehra, streamlining travel and serving as an emblem of both nations’ commitment to efficient transportation infrastructure. As for Thakot-Raikot Section, the existing road is known for sharp bends and limitations and the proposed project is aimed at its thorough overhaul. Apart from state-of-the-art tunnels, which would reduce travel time and enhance safety, road classification will advance from Class 4 to Class 2, signaling an upgrade in its quality and an increase in the permitted speed limit, promising swifter and more efficient travel. It holds the potential to revolutionize cargo transport, making it more efficient and cost-effective. The improved road network will support heavier cargo loads, streamlining the transportation of goods with greater ease and efficiency.
During the visit of the Prime Minister, Pakistan and China are expected to sign another agreement of vital significance envisaging establishment of a Highway Research and Training Centre as part of the programme to foster collaboration and innovation in various domains of highway engineering. It is encouraging that the NHA has already acquired a piece of land measuring 530 acres at a cost of Rs. 520 million for construction of HRTC Research Institute, which would be undertaken by a Chinese contractor under a Chinese grant of $52 million. The construction would include infrastructure, a test track and indoor and outdoor lab equipment.
After completion and required training, it will be handed over to NHA for operation. The institute would hopefully play a significant role in development and modernization of the road infrastructure in the country as per our own needs and conditions. While appreciating the NHA for laying the groundwork for further cooperation with China in the realm of highways, we hope the Railway Ministry would also come up to the expectations of the people by finalizing the much-delayed ML-I project. There are reports that its design and specifications are being revised with a view to reducing its cost but this should not be done at the cost of future requirements of the country as such a big project might not be undertaken again for decades to come.
