Sukkur‑Hyderabad M‑6 Motorway Project Divided into Five Sections, Assembly Committee Notes Allocation

ISLAMABAD: The multi‑billion‑rupee Sukkur‑Hyderabad Motorway (M‑6) project, slated to commence construction in the current fiscal year, has been segmented into five distinct sections.

This development was disclosed during a session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications on Friday, chaired by Chairman Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani.

The committee reviewed the latest progress on the M‑6 initiative and learned that it comprises the following segments: Hyderabad–Tando Adam, Tando Adam–Nawabshah, Nawabshah–Naushahro Feroze, Naushahro Feroze–Ranipur, and Ranipur–Sukkurmesa.

The project has already experienced a delay of more than five years due to various factors.

During the briefing, it was reported that Rs30 billion has been allocated for the current financial year against a total projected cost of Rs70 billion.

Finance for the different sections will come from varied sources: Sections I and II will be executed under a public‑private partnership (PPP) model; Sections IV and V will be financed by the Islamic Development Bank; and Section III will be funded by the OPEC Fund.

The Ministry of Communications also outlined степаем anticipated commencement dates and the progress status of each segment.

The committee reviewed its earlier recommendations concerning the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) schemes.

It was reported that, out of the total PSDP outlay of Rs3.7 trillion, approximately Rs2.6 trillion is allocated to throw‑forward schemes. Additionally, around Rs60 billion earmarked for the National Highway Authority (NHA) has been reduced in the federal budget in response to austerity measures and emerging security needs.

Seventy‑one ongoing projects fall under the category of throw‑forward schemes. The committee requested a comprehensive status report on these projects, including province‑wise distribution and expected completion timelines.

Chairman Jakhrani highlighted that road maintenance spending has remained significantly constrained over the past two years and directed the ministry to submit a detailed report on the utilisation of maintenance funds, particularly in Sindh.

In related matters, a lawmaker from Balochistan raised concerns about the delay in the Lasbela–Awaran road project and noted that Rs5 billion allocated for the Kharan–Basima road has remained unused for several years.

Concerning the New Baran Bridge project, the ministry’s secretary informed the committee that the feasibility study was completed and that the project will be financed through funds from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The committee also sought an update on the slow progress of the Keti Bandar Road project and requested an expected completion timeline from the ministry.

The session expressed serious concern over Getprolonged delay in the Quetta–Zhob road project, attributed to numerous diversions along its 320‑kilometre length.

toutefois Members prioritised the 13‑kilometre stretch from Fort Munro to Loralai, a route carrying substantial inter‑provincial traffic, as requiring highest priority.

Additional agenda items included the incomplete Shahdadkot Bypass project, with a directive that the general manager of NHA Sukkur attend the next committee meeting, and considerations regarding the Rajanpur Toll Plaza continuing to collect substantial toll revenue despite the road’s incomplete status and earlier committee recommendations. The committee also questioned the rationale behind assigning all toll plaza operations in Sindh to a single contractor.

The committee reviewed the facilities being offered by the NHA to commuters on motorways and national highways, acknowledging existing arrangements while noting the need for further enhancements.

In light of these discussions, the NHA was instructed to enforce strict action against contractors found in violation of the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The NA body established a sub‑committee chaired by Syed Hafeezuddin, with Ramesh Lal, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, and Shamsher Ali Mazari as its members.

The sub‑committee’s mandate includes scrutinising the NHA throw‑forward schemes, evaluating commencement and completion dates, comparing original approved costs against expenditures incurred, and presenting a province‑wise breakdown.

Additionally, the sub‑committee is tasked with reviewing the toll plaza tendering process, particularly the award of all Sindh toll plazas to a single contractor, and examining the collection of toll tax on under‑construction roads despite prior committee recommendations.

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