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Sukkur Multan Motorway

Multan – Sukkur Motorway, also known as the M5 Motorway, is a major transportation artery in Pakistan, connecting the cities of Sukkur and Multan. With a total length of over 392 kilometers, it is one of the longest motorways in the country and serves as an essential link between the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. This post will dig into the history and significance of the Sukkur – Multan Motorway and its features and infrastructure. We will also discuss some of the challenges and opportunities of such a significant transportation project. Whether you are a resident of one of the cities along the M5 Motorway, a traveler passing through the region, or simply interested in infrastructure and transportation, this blog post will provide valuable insights and information.  

History of M5 Motorway  

The Pakistani Government signed the Multan – Sukkur motorway agreement, also known as the M5 Motorway, in July 2014 as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative. They set aside a budget of approximately Rs. 200 Billion for the M5 Motorway. The Motorway is a critical component of the CPEC, which aims to establish a network of transportation and energy infrastructure projects in Pakistan.  

China State Construction Engineering received a contract from the Pakistani Government in May 2016 to construct this portion. While the official groundbreaking took place on May 6, 2016, the actual construction began in August that year.  

Chinese Government funded most of the cost of this project through a combination of grants and loans. Approximately 30,000 Pakistanis got employed by the construction, which at its climax included dozens of construction places and covered 21 Chinese residential camps and 23 Pakistani labor camps. At the 9th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting in Islamabad on November 5, 2019, the Government inaugurated the Sukkur – Multan Motorway.  

According to modern standards, the Multan – Sukkur motorway has six lanes and a design speed of 120 kilometers per hour. The Motorway features several interchanges, rest areas, other amenities, and state-of-the-art safety features such as crash barriers and emergency phones.  

The Sukkur – Multan Motorway has significantly improved transportation in the region, providing a faster and more efficient link between the two cities and their surrounding areas. It has also opened up new economic opportunities for local communities, facilitating the movement of goods and people across the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. This Motorway has fulfilled the purpose of decreasing the distance from Sukkur to Multan via Motorway distance. 

Features of Multan Motorway

The Multan – Sukkur motorway, also known as the M5 Motorway, is a modern and well-equipped transportation artery in Pakistan. It features eleven interchanges, ten flyovers, 54 bridges, 426 underpasses, ten rest areas, and twelve service areas. Some of the features of the M5 Motorway include:  

  • Length: The Multan – Sukkur motorway is approximately 392 kilometers long and runs from Sukkur in Sindh to Multan in Punjab.  
  • Lanes: The M5 Motorway has six lanes, which allow for smooth and efficient traffic flow.  
  • Design Speed: The M5 Motorway is a controlled-access roadway, meaning there are no intersections or traffic lights along the Motorway. It allows for faster travel speeds and reduces the risk of accidents. The Motorway has a design speed of 120 kilometers per hour, which facilitate accommodating vehicles traveling at this speed.  
  • Interchanges: The Sukkur – Multan Motorway has a total of 11 Interchanges, which allow vehicles to quickly enter and exit the Motorway at various points along its length. M5 Motorway has several interchanges along its route, including Multan Interchange, Shujaabad Interchange, Rahim Yar Khan Toll Plaza, Tarinda Interchange, Zahir Peer Interchange, Uch Sharif Interchange, Ghotki Interchange, Guddu Interchange, Pano Aqil Interchange, Jhangra-Bahawalpur, and Jalalpur Pirwala.  
  • Routes: The Sukkur – Multan Motorway passes through these communities: Jalalpur Peerwala, next to Bahawalpur; Uch Sharif; Tarinda; Iqbalabad; heading toward Pano Aqil; & Ubaro concluding its journey at Sukkur, close to Rohri. There are 54 bridges on the Sukkur-Multan route, one of which is over the River Sutlej.  

Overall, the Sukkur – Multan Motorway is a well-designed and well-maintained transportation artery that serves as an essential link between the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. With the advent of the M5 Motorway, Sukkur to Multan via motorway distance has significantly reduced.  

Facilities Available at Multan Sukkur Motorway

The Multan – Sukkur motorway, also known as the M5 Motorway, provides several facilities for travelers along its route. Some of the facilities available at the M5 Motorway include:  

  • Rest areas: The M5 Motorway has a total of ten rest areas along its route, which provide travelers with amenities such as restrooms, food and drink outlets, and seating areas.  
  • Emergency phones: The M5 is equipped with several emergency phones at intervals along its length. Passengers can use these phones to call for assistance in an emergency.  
  • Fuel stations: Fuel stations are located at intervals along the M5 Motorway, allowing travelers to refuel their vehicles.  
  • Parking areas: The Sukkur – Multan Motorway has designated parking areas at intervals along its route, allowing travelers to park their vehicles while taking a break or resting. 
  • Hospitals and medical facilities: There are hospitals and medical facilities near the M5 Motorway in case of medical emergencies.  
  • Accommodation: Several hotels and guest houses near the M5 Motorway provide travelers with accommodation options.  
  • Safety features: The M5 Motorway is equipped with several safety features, including crash barriers, emergency phones, Security cameras, and reflective road markings, to ensure the safety of travelers.  
  • Maintenance: National Highway Authority (NHA) regularly maintains the M5 Motorway to ensure it is in good condition and safe for use.  

Overall, the Motorway is well-equipped to meet the needs of travelers, with a range of facilities and services available along its route.  

Has the Sukkur Multan Motorway been Opened to the Public?  

Yes, the Sukkur – Multan Motorway, also known as the M5 Motorway, is currently open for traffic. It was officially flared to the public in 2019 and has become an important regional transportation corridor. It has since been in operation, and many travelers use it daily. The M5 Motorway is under modern standards, with smooth pavement, wide lanes, and numerous rest stops and service areas for travelers. The Motorway provides a faster and more efficient link between the cities of Sukkur and Multan, as well as their surrounding areas, and has significantly improved transportation in the region. 

Economic Importance of the Multan Motorway

The Sukkur – Multan Motorway, also known as the M5 Motorway, is a vital transportation artery in Pakistan, connecting the cities of Sukkur and Multan and serving as a link between the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. The Motorway has several economic benefits for the region and the country. Some of the economic benefits of the Sukkur – Multan Motorway are as follows:  

  1. Improved transportation: The Motorway provides a faster and more efficient link between the two cities and their surrounding areas, significantly improving regional transit. This feature makes it easier for people and goods to move between the provinces of Sindh and Punjab, boosting economic activity in the region.  
  2. Increased trade: The M5 Motorway has facilitated the movement of goods between the two provinces, increasing trade between them. It has had a positive impact on the economy of both sections, as well as the national economy. 
  3. New economic opportunities: The construction of the Motorway has created new economic opportunities for local communities, as it has facilitated the movement of goods and people across the provinces. This feature has led to the development of new businesses and industries in the region, boosting the local economy.  
  4. Infrastructure development: The construction of the Motorway has also contributed to the development of infrastructure in the region. The Motorway is a modern and well-equipped transportation artery, and the construction process also involved the development of other infrastructures, such as bridges and interchanges.  
  5. Reduced travel time: M5 Motorway has drastically reduced travel time for drivers and pedestrians. Before the construction of the Motorway, it took almost six hours to go from Sukkur to Multan. Now that the duration has become half, it takes only 3.5 hours to travel from Sukkur to Multan. Hence, it becomes more accessible to cover Sukkur to Multan via the motorway distance.   

Overall, the Sukkur – Multan Motorway has had a significant economic impact on the region and the country, contributing to the development of transportation and infrastructure, increasing trade and economic activity, and creating new economic opportunities.  

Important Facts about Multan Motorway  

  • The six-lane divided carriageway of the Multan – Sukkur motorway has controlled access.  
  • The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a significant transportation route linking Pakistan to China and Central Asia, is only complete with the M5 Motorway.  
  • It has helped Pakistan’s economy by making it easier to move people and goods around, promoting population expansion, and altering the nation’s transportation infrastructure.  
  • The competitive transportation system provided by the M5 Motorway has helped the region’s major businesses and agricultural sectors, allowing the export of goods.  
  • The M5 Motorway has also increased tourism, which has prompted the development of resorts and led to job opportunities. 

Multan is a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and religious significance. Here are some popular places to visit in Multan:  

  • Multan Fort: The Multan Fort is a historic fortress that dates back to 800 and 1000 C.E. It is located on a high mound in the city’s center and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The fort is a famous tourist attraction and is home to several historical sites, including the tomb of the Sufi saint Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani.  
  • Shrine of Hazrat Zakariya: The Shrine of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya is a famous Sufi shrine in Multan. It is the shrine of the Sufi saint Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya, an important religious figure in the region. The shrine is a popular destination for pilgrims and visitors and is known for its beautiful architecture and intricate tilework.  
  • Multan Cricket Stadium: The Multan Cricket Stadium is a popular sports venue in Multan. It is the home ground of the Multan Sultans, a team in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and has a seating capacity of 30,000. The stadium is a popular destination for cricket fans and is known for its modern facilities and breathtaking city views.  

Overall, Multan has a rich history, cultural heritage, and several famous places to visit. These include historical sites, religious shrines, sports venues, and cultural attractions, all of which offer visitors a unique and exciting experience. You can travel to Multan via Multan – Sukkur motorway.  

Conclusion  

The Multan – Sukkur motorway has greatly aided Pakistan’s economic growth by enabling the movement of products and boosting tourism. Incorporating innovative technologies has also significantly contributed to upgrading the National Highway Authority (NHA). With the aid of the M5 Motorway, passengers can easily cover Sukkur to Multan via motorway distance.