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Hakla DI Khan Motorway

The Hakla-DI Khan Motorway, also known as the M-14 Motorway, is a central transportation corridor in Pakistan. Spanning over 285 kilometers, M-14 Motorway connects the city of Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with the Hakla Interchange on the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1). The Hakla to DI Khan Motorway is a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multi-billion dollar infrastructure project aimed at improving connectivity and economic development in Pakistan. This blog post will take a closer look at the Hakla-DI Khan Motorway, its importance, and the benefits it brings to the region. Whether you are a resident of one of these cities or simply interested in transportation infrastructure, this post will look at this critical piece of Motorways in Pakistan.   

Overview of Hakla to DI khan Motorway  

Pakistan’s four-lane Hakla-DI Khan Motorway, also known as the Hakla-Yarik Motorway or the M-14 Motorway, stretches from north to south. The M-14 Motorway, a 285-kilometer (177-mile) section of the Western Route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, provides a fast connection between the southern areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, close to Dera Ismail Khan and the commercial hub of Islamabad-Rawalpindi. Hakla to DI khan Motorway had its groundbreaking ceremony in May 2016. Because of the delays and political unrest, Hakla-DI Khan Motorway opened on 5 January 2022 instead of as scheduled in 2018. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, inaugurated the Hakla to DI khan Motorway on 5 January 2022 in a ceremony held in Islamabad.    

Cost to Complete the Project of the M-14 Motorway   

One of the most significant developments on the Western projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has been the installation of the M-14 Motorway. The M-14 Motorway has improved connectivity for locals and made it possible to map out the quickest route for transferring cargo to and from the Chinese state of Xinjiang to the Gwadar Port.   

CPEC Authority sources claim that when the PML-N administration started the project of the M-14 Motorway in 2016, they allocated an estimated cost of roughly Rs110 billion for the construction of the Hakla to DI Khan Motorway. However, the project cost approximately Rs81 billion. The administration of Imran Khan completed a sizable chunk of the M-14 Motorway in 2022.   

Construction of Hakla to DI khan Motorway   

Pakistan’s Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) authorized the construction of the M-14 Motorway in April 2016, and the construction started in May 2016. The structure of the M-14 Motorway came to an end in December 2021, and PM Imran Khan inaugurated it in 2022. Five sections make up the design of the Hakla to DI Khan Motorway.   

1st Section: The first section is 54.6 kilometers long and runs from Yarik in DI Khan to Rehmani Khel.   

2nd Section: Rehmani Khel to Kot Belian is where the 71.2-kilometer second section begins.   

3rd Section: The third segment of the M-14 Motorway runs 52.5 kilometers from Kot Belian to Tarap.   

4th Section: From Tarap to Pindi Gheb, the fourth section of the Hakla to DI Khan Motorway is 51.2 kilometers long.   

5th Section: The M-14 Motorway’s final 63 km stretch runs from Pindi Gheb to Hakla. 

Features of Hakla DI Khan Motorway:   

The 285-kilometer-long M-14 Motorway is a four-lane highway with eleven interchanges, 36 canal bridges, 33 flyovers, 119 underpass bridges, 398 culverts, and ten service areas. Here are some features of the Hakla to DI khan Motorway:   

Length: The Hakla-DI Khan Motorway, also known as the M-14 Motorway, is about 285-kilometer (177-mile) controlled-access Motorway in Pakistan, and it has significantly reduced the travel time between Islamabad and Dera Ismail Khan from eight hours to less than four hours.   

Lanes: The M-14 Motorway is a four-lane, dual-carriageway, allowing for smooth and efficient traffic flow. A four-lane Motorway is a type of controlled-access highway that has two lanes for travel in each direction. The lanes have a median strip or barrier, which helps to reduce the risk of head-on collisions. The number of lanes on a motorway is usually determined based on the expected traffic volume and the specific route’s needs. Four lanes are a standard configuration for Motorways, providing a good balance between capacity and cost.   

Interchanges: The Hakla to DI khan Motorway has approximately 11 Interchanges along its route. These interchanges allow travelers to access the Motorway from other major roads and highways in the region. On the Hakla-DI Khan Motorway, Interchanges provide access to local roads and facilitate the movement of goods and people between the city of Dera Ismail Khan and the Hakla Interchange. M-14 Motorway includes the following interchanges: Kundal Interchange, Kot Bailian Interchange, Isakhel Interchange, Abdul Khel Interchange, Yarik Terminal Interchange, Doudkhel Interchange, Tarap Interchange, Jand Interchange, Pindigheb Interchange, Fateh Jang Interchange, and Hakla-DI Khan Motorway Interchange. 

Routes of Hakla to DI Khan Motorway:   

The four-lane, controlled-access M-14 Motorway connects Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the Hakla Interchange on the M-1 Motorway, which is close to Fateh Jang in Punjab. Then the M-14 Motorway travels southwest from Hakla through Tarap, Jand, Pindi Gheb, and Mianwali. The M-14 Motorway travels through the region of Sindh Sagar Doab in Punjab Province and crosses the Indus River close to Mianwali before getting into the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. After continuing for a while, the M-14 Motorway ends close to Yarik, a town located just north of Dera Ismail Khan. The Government will renovate the N-50 National Highway between Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Zhob in Balochistan and between Zhob valley and Quetta at the southern terminus of the planned Islamabad DI Khan Motorway.  

Hakla DI Khan Motorway Map  

Hakla DI Khan Motorway Map is as follows: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-14_motorway_(Pakistan)   

As shown in Hakla DI Khan Motorway Map, the M-14 Motorway begins at Hakla Interchange on Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway. Then it travels via Fatehjang, Qutbal, Tarap, Pindigheb, Mianwali, Sikandarabad, Daud Khel, crosses the Indus River, and continues to N-55 (National Highway), close to Yarik.   

What is the Economic Importance of Hakla to DI Khan Motorway?   

The Hakla-DI Khan Motorway is a source of providing significant economic benefits for the region. Some of how the Motorway is contributing to economic development include:

  • Enhanced trade: The M-14 Motorway facilitates the movement of goods between the two cities and beyond, boosting trade and commerce in the region.   
  • Improved connectivity: The M-14 Motorway provides a faster and more efficient transportation route between the cities of Dera Ismail Khan and Hakla and also connects to the M-1 Motorway, providing further connectivity to other major cities in Pakistan. This feature makes it more accessible for people and businesses to access markets, resources, and opportunities, enhancing economic growth and development.   
  • Job creation: The construction and operation of the Motorway have also created jobs in the region, positively impacting the local economy. The jobs can include direct and indirect employment in various sectors, such as construction, transportation, and tourism. According to the official Website of CPEC, the development of the M-14 Motorway has created approximately 6700 jobs in the region.    
  • Increased tourism: The M-14 Motorway is also contributing to the development of tourism in the region and making it easier for people to travel to and from the cities of Dera Ismail Khan and Hakla. This feature could lead to the growth of the tourism industry and related economic benefits.   
  • Reduced travel time: The seven-hour travel between DI Khan and Islamabad has dwindled to just three hours thanks to the M-14 Motorway. Along with connecting South Punjab and Baluchistan, the M-14 Motorway will turn Dera Ismail Khan into an economic hub, facilitating the flow of goods and services throughout the nation. Expanding economic activity and creating jobs will also enhance people’s living standards. The Hakla-DI Khan Motorway positively impacts the region’s economy by improving connectivity, facilitating trade, attracting investment, and boosting tourism.   

Has the Hakla to DI Khan Motorway been Opened to the Public?   

Yes, the Hakla-DI Khan Motorway, also known as the M-14 Motorway, is currently open for traffic. It officially opened to the public in January 2022 and is now a crucial regional transit route. Since then, many travelers have utilized it daily. With wide lanes, smooth pavement, and several rest spots and service places for motorists, the M-14 Motorway complies with modern requirements. The Motorway has substantially enhanced transportation in the area by providing a quicker and more effective link between the cities of Dera Ismail Khan and Islamabad and their neighboring territories.    

Essential Statistics of M-14 Motorway:   

  • The Hakla DI Khan Motorway makes it easier for people to travel from remote locations and gives them access to the nation’s developed cities.   
  • The M-14 Motorway passes through numerous tourist attractions, and it will boost travel around the nation. The projected Kalabagh Dam site, which would be conveniently reachable via the Tarap Interchange, is one of the extensive tourist attractions.   
  • The M-14 Motorway will also make it possible to reach Hilly Valley, Chashma Bridge, the date fields of Dera Ismail Khan, the Maple Leaf Cement Factory, and the Sikandarabad Industrial Zone.   
  • National Highway Authority plans to extend the four-lane M-14 Motorway to Six lanes to accommodate the heavy traffic flow.    
  • Located close to the M-14 Motorway are the countryside and farms that produce legumes, vegetables, cereals, and fruits, mainly premium dates and mangoes. The Hakla to DI Khan Motorway would facilitate all types of trade and access to other regions of the country in the fertile hidden areas of North Punjab and South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.   

FAQs   

1. Where is the Hakla to DI Khan Motorway?   

The Hakla-DI Khan Motorway is a 285-kilometer-long, four-lane Motorway located in Pakistan. It connects the cities of Dera Ismail Khan and Hakla, passing through the districts of Jand, Trap, and Mianwali. The M-14 Motorway is a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and improves connectivity between these cities and stimulates economic development in the region.   

2. How many interchanges are on the M-14 Motorway?   

11 Interchanges on the M-14 Motorway facilitate the movement of goods and people between Dera Ismail Khan and Islamabad.   

3. What is the route of CPEC?   

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a collection of infrastructure projects developing in Pakistan to improve connectivity and economic development in the country. The projects under the CPEC umbrella include the construction of new roads, railways, airports, and ports and improving power plants, special economic zones, and other infrastructure. Here is the detail of the Western route of CPEC projects.  

Name of Project Length in Km 
Quetta-Khuzdar-Chaman (N25) 431 
DI Khan-Zhob (N50) 210 
Hoshab-Surab (N85) 449 
Hoshab-Gwadar-Turbat (M8) 193 

Conclusion   

In conclusion, the Hakla-DI Khan Motorway is vital to the region’s economic development and connectivity. Featuring state-of-the-art infrastructure, including interchanges, service areas, and rest stops, as well as advanced security and traffic management systems, M-14 Motorway is a critical component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It will play a prominent role in the growth and development of Pakistan in the coming years.