Tunnel project to link Haripur with Islamabad

Expected to reduce distance between Haripur, Islamabad to 8 kilometers, bringing travel time down to 10 to 15 minutes

RAWALPINDI:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has approved a project to construct two twin tunnels through the Margalla Hills, directly connecting Khanpur and Haripur in Hazara with Islamabad.

Once completed, the project will reduce the distance between Haripur and Islamabad to just 8 kilometres, bringing travel time down to 10 to 15 minutes.

The tunnels, illuminated and built to international standards, are expected to be completed within three years, with construction starting in December 2025 and concluding by December 25, 2028. The project has been formally included in K-P's Annual Development Programme 2025. The tunnels will link the M-15 Motorway to Islamabad's D-12 sector, providing direct access to the Hazara Motorway. The K-P government has approved the scheme under a public-private partnership, with Rs1 billion allocated for the first year. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) will also extend cooperation.

A feasibility study has already been completed.

According to Hazara Development Authority sources, the project has faced delays for nearly two decades due to lack of funds and frequent changes in government.

However, officials maintain that even if the federal govt does not participate, they are determined to complete it. Encouraging progress has also been made in talks with the government.