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Karachi Hyderabad Motorway (M-9)

Karachi Hyderabad Motorway, also known as the M9 Motorway, is a major transportation route in Pakistan that connects the city of Karachi with the city of Hyderabad. Spanning a distance of over 136 kilometers, M9 Motorway provides a crucial link between these two major cities and has dramatically improved travel times and connectivity between them. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the history and development of the Karachi Hyderabad Motorway and the benefits and challenges it has brought 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 Pakistan’s road network. 

History of Hyderabad Karachi Motorway  

The Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway, also known as the M9 Motorway, is a 136-kilometer (84-mile) controlled-access motorway in Pakistan that connects the city of Karachi to Hyderabad in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is a part of the Pakistan National Highway Authority and serves as an essential transportation corridor for the region.  

Hyderabad Karachi Motorway is an upgradation of the former Karachi Hyderabad Super Highway, a Pakistani national highway that connected Karachi and Hyderabad. Located in the Sindh province of Pakistan, the Government decided to upgrade the former four-lane Superhighway into a six-lane M9 Motorway. The authorities directed the construction of the Hyderabad Karachi Motorway using a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. In January 2012, Bina Puri Holdings, a Malaysian business, received the project of M9 Motorway worth PKR 24.93 billion. The authorities developed the M9 Motorway intending to link the port of Karachi with important cities throughout South Asia. In April 2009, the Government granted the project approval. The M-9 Motorway had its groundbreaking ceremony on March 11, 2015, and the scheduled time of its completion was in August 2017. The anticipated cost of the six-lane, four-interchange M9 Motorway connecting Karachi and Hyderabad was approximately Rs. 36 billion. The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, inaugurated The Loni Kot to Lucky toll plaza stretch of the Hyderabad Karachi Motorway on February 3, 2017. At that time, the engineers had constructed About 75 km of the 136 km of the route, while they developed the remaining half portion in March 2018. On December 24, 2020, the M9 Motorway received an updated toll plaza. It is Pakistan’s largest toll plaza, with 24 lanes, six entry points, and 18 departure points. To accommodate the heavy traffic load, the federal Government planned in February 2022 to expand the Karachi Hyderabad Motorway from six to eight lanes.  

Overall, the Karachi Hyderabad Motorway is a critical infrastructure project that has greatly benefited the people of Pakistan and the region.  

Features of Hyderabad Karachi Motorway  

The Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway is a six-lane, dual-carriageway with a median strip. It has several interchanges and access points along its route and includes several service areas and rests stops for travelers. The M9 Motorway is a toll road, and users must pay a fee to use it. Here are some features of the Karachi Hyderabad Motorway:   

Length: The Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway, also known as the M9 Motorway, is a 136-kilometer (84-mile) controlled-access Motorway in Pakistan.  

Lanes: The M9 Motorway is a six-lane, dual-carriageway with a median strip, allowing for smooth and efficient traffic flow.   

Route: Near the intersection of the Karachi Northern Bypass (M10), the Hyderabad Karachi Motorway begins north of Karachi. A trumpet interchange links this route to the Karachi Northern Bypass. It then departs the city. It connects to National Highway 5 through a link road on a northeast track. The trail then leaves Karachi and travels into the Thar Desert. The M9 Motorway concludes at a cloverleaf interchange near Kotri, which is outside Hyderabad. It then combines with the N-5.   

Interchanges: The Hyderabad Karachi Motorway has approximately 8 to 11 Interchanges along its route. These interchanges allow travelers to access the Motorway from other major roads and highways in the region. M9 Motorway includes the following interchanges: Interchanges at Dadabhai Industrial Valley, Nooriabad, Thana Bola Khan, Tharparkar, Jimphir, and Keenjhar. Along the Karachi Hyderabad Motorway are some of Karachi’s most prominent housing societies, such as Bahria Town and DHA. One of South Asia’s longest interchanges on the M9 Motorway has recently opened for transportation with an innovative infrastructure. The interchange creates an immediate connection between Bahria Town in Karachi and Sukkur. 

Upgradation of Karachi Hyderabad Motorway:  

As a result of rising traffic, the M9 Motorway’s significance is growing. That is why the Federal Government has now considered modernizing the 136 km long Karachi Hyderabad Motorway to manage increased traffic flow. The upgraded version of Hyderabad Karachi Hyderabad will be Sukkur Hyderabad Motorway, also known as M6 Motorway, and it is under construction. M6 Motorway had its groundbreaking ceremony on December 13, 2022. The expected year for its completion is 2024. The Government and National Highway Authority have set aside a budget of Rs. 307 Billion for the upgradation of the M9 Motorway. The largest project ever signed in the nation’s history is the Sukkur Hyderabad Motorway, widely referred to as the M6 Motorway. The federal Public Private Partnership Authority (P3A) collaborated with the NHA to structure the project using the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) approach. The 306-kilometer-long M6 Motorway will have six lanes. In addition, there will be 15 interchanges, 82 canal bridges, six flyovers, 19 overpass bridges, and one significant Indus River bridge along the 306 km long Motorway. The M6 will pass through Jamshoro, Matiari, Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Nowshehro Feroze, Khairpur, and Sukkur districts. Overall, the various upgrades and improvements to the Hyderabad Karachi Motorway will help to enhance the capacity and reliability of the Motorway and will significantly benefit the people of Pakistan and the region.  

What About M9 Motorway Speed Limits?  

The speed limit on the Karachi Hyderabad Motorway, also known as the M9 Motorway, varies depending on the location and type of vehicle. In general, the speed limit for passenger vehicles is 120 kilometers per hour (km/h) (75 miles per hour), while the speed limit for trucks and buses is 100 km/h (62 mph). However, these speed limits may be lower in certain areas or conditions, such as in construction zones or when the road surface is wet or slippery.   

Motorists need to observe the posted speed limits on the M9 Motorway, as exceeding the speed limit can be dangerous and is against the law. In addition, speeding can lead to increased fuel consumption and wear and tear on the vehicle.  

The National Highway Authority (NHA), responsible for maintaining and managing the Karachi Hyderabad Motorway, has implemented several measures to enforce speed limits and improve road safety. These measures include using speed cameras and other monitoring systems and deploying traffic police and law enforcement personnel.  

Interesting Facts about Karachi Hyderabad Motorway:  

M9 Motorway is the most major Motorway in Pakistan. Here are some of the exciting facts about the Karachi Hyderabad Motorway: 

  • Traffic: An average of 30,000 vehicles per day use the M9 Motorway. 
  • Toll fees: The M9 Motorway is a toll road, and users must pay a fee to use it. The toll fees vary depending on the vehicle type and distance traveled. 
  • Safety: The Hyderabad Karachi Motorway has significantly improved the safety and reliability of road travel in the region, and the number of accidents on the Motorway has decreased since its completion.  
  • Economic impact: The Hyderabad Karachi Motorway has helped to stimulate economic development in the region by improving access to markets and facilitating the transportation of goods and people.  
  • Speed Limit: The M9 Motorway has the same speed restrictions as other motorways in Pakistan: 80 km/h for heavy vehicles and 120 km/h for light transport vehicles. It has a center median for safety and is walled on the exterior to keep away trespassers.  

Places to Visit in Karachi:   

Karachi is the largest city in the Sindh province of Pakistan and is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and religious significance. You can reach all these locations via M9 Motorway. Here are some popular places to visit in Karachi:    

♦  Pakistan Maritime Museum  

One of the best attractions in the city is the Pakistan Maritime Museum, which offers tourists the chance to see a real submarine and various aircraft and vintage weaponry used by the Pakistan Navy in the past. A six-gallery interior museum also uses murals, relief paintings, and interactive exhibits to teach visitors.   

♦  Mazar e Quaid  

The monument’s exterior, made of pure white marble, is a must-visit place in Karachi. The founder of the nation, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, or Quaid in Urdu, rests in the Mausoleum in Karachi, more popularly known as Mazar e Quaid. The Samanid Mausoleum in Uzbekistan inspired its simple dome over a cube shape.  

♦  PAF Museum      

The Pakistan Air Force Museum is a must-see if you enjoy airplanes and all aviation-related stuff. The Pakistan Air Force has utilized a variety of aircraft, including planes, jets, radars, and weapons, over the years, particularly during the war with India in 1965. PAF Museum is showing Scale models from World Wars 1 and 2, along with some modern aircraft. Additionally, the central park offers eating options, and the gardens provide lots of spots to unwind.  

♦  Churna Island  

Churna Island, just a two-hour drive from the heart of Karachi, is a must-see if you want to immerse yourself in the ocean’s vast beauty. Here, you may snorkel, swim and scuba dive around the island’s coral and take in the variety of marine life that lives in its warm waters, including trout, scorpions, and turtles.  

Places to Visit in Hyderabad  

Anyone who steps foot in Hyderabad, often known as Pearl City, is immediately fascinated by its unparalleled fusion of history and modernity. This city has everything to keep you enthralled, including historical landmarks, picturesque getaways, exquisite food from around the world, tempting retail areas, and exhilarating entertainment parks. Here are some of the worth visiting locations:   

♦  Sindh Museum Hyderabad  

In Qasimabad is where you can find the Sindh Museum Hyderabad. Created in 1971, the intention of building this museum was to gather and conserve artifacts to preserve the cultural history of Sindh.  

♦  Rani Bagh  

The word “Rani Bagh” comes from Urdu, which means Queen’s Garden. Located on National Highway 5, Hyderabad, Rani Bagh is a zoological garden. The four sections of Rani Bagh are Eid Gah, Zoo, a lush Green Park, and the Jogging Trails.   

♦  Tomb of Mian Ghulam Nabi Kalhoro  

Situated in Hyderabad’s Journalist colony, next to the Central Jail, you will find the Tomb of Ghulam Nabi Kalhoro. Noor Muhammad Kalhoro’s son Mian Ghulam Nabi Kalhoro, governed for almost one year (AD 1775 – 1776). This tomb is a tourist destination managed by the Government of Sindh’s Department of Culture & Tourism.  

Conclusion  

In conclusion, the Karachi Hyderabad Motorway is a vital infrastructure project that has greatly benefitted the people of Sindh province in Pakistan. It has provided a fast and efficient means of transportation between Karachi and Hyderabad, reducing travel time and improving connectivity between the two cities. The upgradation of the Hyderabad Karachi Motorway will also create jobs and stimulate economic development in the region. Overall, the Karachi Hyderabad Motorway is an essential investment in the future of Sindh and positively impacts its citizens’ lives.