The Central Development Working Party has recently granted approval for a significant infrastructure development initiative crucial to the CPEC. This milestone project involves the extensive enhancement and realignment of a 241-kilometer segment of the iconic Karakoram Highway, spanning from Thakot to Raikot Bridge.
The estimated cost for this ambitious endeavor is approximately Rs567.5 billion, equivalent to about $2 billion, which will be funded through a concessional loan from China.
The scope of the project encompasses several key components aimed at modernizing and improving connectivity along the KKH. This includes the construction of a new 103-kilometer bypass route from Thakot to Dasu, a strategic relocation of infrastructure at Dasu Dam, and the development of new road sections beyond Basha-Thor Nullah.
In addition to the KKH project, the CDWP has also given the green light to the Rs42 billion Golen Gol Hydropower project situated in Chitral. Funding for this hydroelectric initiative will be sourced from a consortium of international financial entities.
Anticipating the approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s scheduled visit to Beijing on June 4th, these projects represent significant advancements in Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy sectors.
They underscore the country’s commitment to fostering economic growth and regional connectivity through strategic partnerships and sustainable development initiatives under the CPEC framework.
