Abdul Ghani

The Ministry of Communications has sought an additional allocation of Rs4.2 billion in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 for the timely completion of Chitral-Shandoor Highway (N-145), says an official document available with Wealth Pakistan. The 153-kilometer highway, a key infrastructure project of the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), aims to improve connectivity in the northern regions of Pakistan.

The project is progressing steadily but requires an additional financial injection to meet the Dec 2026 completion deadline. This two-way highway is aimed at improving access to some of the most remote and picturesque areas. It will connect Chitral to the broader Gilgit-Baltistan region, facilitating better trade, tourism, and regional development. The project is divided into four construction packages.

Package-I envisages the construction of a 38.9km stretch at the cost of Rs2.67 billion, followed by the construction of a 39.7km stretch at the cost of Rs2.83 billion under Package-II, a 36.1km stretch at the cost of Rs2.55 billion under Package-III, and a 37.8km stretch at the cost of Rs2.87 billion under Package-IV.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs10.92 billion, and Rs6.6 billion has been spent on it up to the first quarter of the Financial Year 2025-2026. Under Package-I, 44.2% progress has been achieved, 25.3% under Package-II, 37.0% under Package-III, and 27.1% under Package-IV.

However, an additional allocation of Rs4.2 billion is needed in the Financial Year 2026-27 for the completion of the project. Chitral-Shandoor Highway is not just a vital infrastructure project but also a significant step in the government's strategy to enhance regional connectivity and boost tourism in the northern areas. The highway is expected to contribute substantially to the economic and social development of the region.

Credit: INP-WealthPk