Entire Swat Expressway to be opened for traffic next month; PC-I for 37 km Chakdara-Mingora section approved.

PESHAWAR -- Work on 81- kilometer long Swat Expressway has entered into last stage of completion that would likely to be opened for traffic by the end of next month.

The main road, tunnels and bridges besides Chakdara interchange of Swat expressway (phase-l) have been completed and remain work was expected to be okayed by the end of August 2020, an official in KP Government told reporter on Thursday.

The construction work on 1.2 kilometers long twin tunnels, 21 bridges and 25 acres service area on each side of the expressway, have been completed.

To take full advantage of the rich tourism potential of Khyber Pakthunkhwa, including seven districts of Malakand Division, the PTI Government had taken a principled decision to construct state-of-the-art Swat Expressway to explore the hidden treasures of Swat, Chitral, Dir Upper, Dir Lower, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mohmand and Bajaur districts before the world.

Swat expressway commences from Karnal Sher Interchange in Swabi district on Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway and concludes at Chakdara in Dir Lower district after passing through 21 bridges and 1,300 meters long tunnels on National Highway N-45.

Upon completion, it would open up the entire Malakand division especially Swat, Dir, Chitral, Shangla and Bajaur districts for touism, trade and investment besides bring big boom to hotels, carpets and furniture industries.

Tourism industry has achieved remarkable progress in KP due PTI Govt friendly tourism policies where a record three million tourists had visted last year to enjoy the measmerizing natural beauty, waterfalls, lush green valleys and snowfalls in Hazara and Malakand divisions.

The official said work on the project was slightly delayed due to coronavirus, however now construction on the remaining portion was in full swing and the deadline given by the Government would be met.

Under phase II, the Swat Expressway would be extended from Chakdara to Mingora (37km) and its PC-I about purchase of land has been approved by by Central Devolopment Working Party (CDWP) and was sent to National Economic Council (NEC), Islamabad for final approval.

The project would significantly reduce the...