K-P approves Rs69b Dir Motorway

29km road from Chakdara to Baroon gets the nod

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Committee has granted in-principle approval for the construction of the 29-kilometre Dir Motorway under the PPP model, paving the way for one of the province's major road infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and boosting economic activity in Malakand Division.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the PPP Committee chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar.

The proposed motorway will extend from the Chakdara Interchange to Baroon in Lower Dir district and is estimated to cost Rs69 billion. The project is expected to significantly improve road connectivity, reduce travel time and facilitate the movement of people and goods across the region.

During the meeting, the chief minister directed the relevant authorities to immediately initiate the land acquisition process required for the project. He also instructed the concerned departments to establish clear implementation timelines and ensure that construction is completed within the stipulated period so that the public can benefit from the project without unnecessary delays.

To further accelerate infrastructure development, Afridi directed officials to prepare proposals for amendments to the existing PPP framework. He said the reforms should help streamline procedures, reduce implementation timelines and enable faster execution of development projects undertaken through the PPP model.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister described the Dir Motorway as a landmark project and termed it a significant gift from Imran Khan's provincial government to the people of Malakand Division. He said the motorway would substantially reduce travel time, lower fuel consumption and transportation costs, and provide direct economic benefits to residents and businesses.

Afridi said the project would also play a vital role in promoting tourism by improving access to scenic destinations across Malakand Division. Better connectivity, he noted, would encourage greater tourist inflow, generate employment opportunities, stimulate commercial activities and contribute significantly to the region's socio-economic development.