New Motorway to Enhance CPEC Trade and Tourism
A new motorway has been greenlit by the National Highway Authority (NHA), promising a transformative boost for trade and tourism under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Spanning 235 kilometers, the four-lane Mansehra-Kaghan-Naran-Chilas Motorway will serve as a crucial artery in the CPEC framework, drastically reducing travel time from seven hours to just two.
Designed to international standards, the project will connect major northern regions of Pakistan, including Mansehra, Kaghan, Naran, and Chilas, with an emphasis on speed, safety, and scenic value. The initiative is expected to catalyse cross-border commerce and regional development while fostering sustainable tourism in the highland zones.
The urgency of the development is underscored by the Federal Minister for Communications, who has directed NHA to initiate the project under emergency protocols. Currently, the region faces seasonal isolation, as the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad (MNJ) Road and Babusar Pass—sitting at 13,700 feet—become inaccessible for nearly half the year due to heavy snowfall and landslides.
Although the MNJ Road has recently reopened for tourism, Babusar Pass remains closed as snow-clearing operations continue. Experts believe the newly proposed motorway could change this pattern if it avoids high-altitude zones and includes advanced weather-proof infrastructure like tunnels, avalanche shelters, and snow galleries—similar to the Karakoram Highway.
Such engineering could transform the route into an all-weather passage, ensuring uninterrupted trade, increased tourist influx, and dependable year-round access for locals. However, the final benefits will rely heavily on the road’s alignment. If routed through lower valleys or designed to bypass weather-vulnerable sections, the new motorway could permanently eliminate seasonal closures, marking a strategic leap for Pakistan’s northern connectivity and CPEC logistics.