ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has formally requested Rs116.63 billion in financial assistance from China to construct the proposed Khwazakhela-to-Besham Expressway. This strategic infrastructure venture is designed to execute under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.
Consequently, Pakistani authorities presented the funding request to the Chinese counterpart during the CPEC Joint Working Group meeting on transport.
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Escalating Costs Stabilize Under Revised PC-1
According to official planning documents, the project’s financial estimates underwent several structural revisions over the last few years. Initially, planning authorities calculated a baseline cost of Rs79 billion in 2022. However, detailed engineering design shifts later pushed the projection up to Rs137 billion.
Through rigorous technical adjustments, planners successfully brought the estimate down to Rs123 billion. Finally, a recent administrative review locked the net project cost at Rs116.63 billion.
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The Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives received the revised PC-1 via the Integrated Project Assessment System. This proposal will now move directly to competent forums for formal executive approval.
Technical Blueprint and Tunnel Infrastructure
The proposed 48-kilometer-long transit corridor will significantly improve connectivity between Swat and the Shangla district. Furthermore, the specialized alignment breaks down into two distinct engineering segments:
- New Alignment: Construction of a 36-kilometer-long dedicated expressway.
- Upgradation: Expansion of a 12-kilometer section of the existing highway into a dual-carriageway system.
Moreover, the complex mountainous terrain necessitates extensive structural engineering. Therefore, the project blueprint includes the excavation of seven specialized tunnels spanning a collective length of 9.8 kilometers. Notably, the longest single tunnel within this alignment will cut through a 7.5-kilometer mountain stretch to ensure safe winter transit.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The net cost of the Khwazakhela-Besham Expressway is locked at Rs116.63 billion under the latest revised PC-1 submitted to the Ministry of Planning. The project cost was previously adjusted from an initial estimate of Rs79 billion in 2022 due to engineering design modifications.
Yes, the 48-kilometer-long expressway is an officially proposed infrastructure venture under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. Pakistan has formally requested technical and financial assistance from China for its construction.
The project blueprint includes the excavation of seven specialized tunnels spanning a collective length of 9.8 kilometers through difficult mountainous terrain. The longest single tunnel within the alignment will measure 7.5 kilometers to ensure safe transit during harsh winter conditions.
The total length of the transit corridor is 48 kilometers. The engineering design splits into two main segments: the construction of a 36-kilometer new dedicated expressway and the dualization of a 12-kilometer section of the existing highway.
