Multan Sukkur Motorway: Connecting the Cities

The Multan-Sukkur Motorway, popularly known as the M-5 Motorway, is a major north-south route that passes through Pakistan. It provides a direct link between Sukkur and Multan. With a length of 392 kilometres, the M-5 motorway is the longest motorway in Pakistan that is currently in use.

The motorway, built for high-speed travel, has a 120 km/h top speed limit. It also has six lanes and regulated access, guaranteeing a smooth and effective traffic flow. This crucial infrastructure undertaking is a component of the more significant China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which aims to deepen economic relations between the two nations.

Continue reading for more information about the Multan Sukkur motorway. 

 

Highlights of Multan Sukkur Motorway

Feature	Description
Length	392 kilometers (244 miles)
Opened	2018 (6 years ago)
Route	North-South
Northern Terminus	Multan
Southern Terminus pen_spark	Sukkur
Country	Pakistan
Major Cities	Multan, Sukkur, Shujabad, Jalalpur Pirwala, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Ghotki, Pano Aqil, Rohri

The Multan Sukkur Motorway: A Journey from Vision to Reality

The Multan-Sukkur Motorway, or M-5 Motorway, has a well-documented history dating back to July 2014. The project was officially approved in this crucial year, and early estimates put its cost at Rs. 200 billion, or nearly US$2.5 billion in 2023.  

Fast-forward to May 2016, a significant advancement was made. The Pakistani government gave China State Construction Engineering the construction contract, thereby securing the project’s advancement.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif played a symbolic role, conducting the formal groundbreaking ceremony on May 6 and May 6, 2016. August of that year saw the official start of this massive infrastructural development as construction work got underway. 

There was much more to the Multan Sukkur motorway than just connecting Multan and Sukkur. Its potential to deepen economic connections between the two countries made it a pillar of the CPEC programme. International collaboration was demonstrated during the construction process itself.

It entailed the construction of living quarters designed explicitly for the labour force, with 21 residential camps constructed for Chinese workers and 23 camps constructed for Pakistani workers. At its height, this project, spread across hundreds of work sites, directly employed close to 30,000 Pakistanis, vastly boosting the country’s economy. 

The text you provided is already in active voice. It describes the actions of completing the M-5 motorway ahead of schedule and holding an official opening ceremony.

 

Interchange

This table provides a detailed list of the interchanges along the Multan Sukkur motorway in Pakistan, including their names, corresponding junctions, and the available southbound exits: 

Interchange	Junction	Southbound Exits
Shershah Interchange	Start of motorway	Bahawalpur Road
Shujaabad Interchange		Lodhran Road
Jalalpur Pirwala Interchange		Lodhran Road
Jhangra Interchange		Bahawalpur-DHA (N-5)
Uch Sharif Interchange pen_spark		Alipur Road
Tarinda		Tarinda Muhammad Panah Road
Zahir Pir Interchange		Chachran Sharif Road
Rahim Yar Khan Toll Plaza	Rahim Yar Khan	N-5
Guddu Interchange		Sadiqabad Kashmore Road
Ghotki Interchange		JDW Unit 3 Sugar Mill Road
Pano Aqil Interchange		Local Road
Sukkur-Rorhi Interchange		Rohri/Sukkur (N-5)

 

Funding the Multan Sukkur Motorway: A Collaborative Effort

Estimates for the cost of the M-5 motorway were high, at about $2.89 billion. A finance plan was in place to cover this expense.  

Remarkably, concessionary loans from Chinese state-owned banks accounted for 90% of the finance. These loans had extremely advantageous terms, with interest rates as low as 1.6%. China’s substantial contribution emphasises the project’s collaborative nature.  

The Pakistani government alone covered the final 10% of the expenses. This indicates the government’s dedication to the project’s accomplishment and its possible advantages for the country’s infrastructure.  

 

The M-5 Motorway: A Journey Through Pakistan’s Heartland

The busy metropolis of Multan is where the M-5 motorway originates. It has six lanes to facilitate efficient traffic flow. It cuts a route southward, traversing multiple well-known cities and towns. The road passes through Shujabad, Jalalpur Pirwala, Ahmedpur East, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Ubauro, and Pano Aqil before arriving at Sukkur, the route’s ultimate endpoint.  

This magnificent highway is more than simply a long asphalt driveway. It has fifty-four bridges, one of which crosses the Sutlej River. This makes crossing rivers easy. The M-5 highway has twelve service centres, ideal for stopping for petrol and refreshments to meet drivers’ demands.

Ten rest areas also offer pleasant places to relax after a long drive. The entire route is replete with examples of modern infrastructure, including 11 interchanges that make it easy to transition between local and motorways. For a seamless driving experience, ten flyovers have been deliberately located to eliminate traffic bottlenecks. Lastly, 426 underpasses avoid delays and congestion by ensuring continuous traffic movement. 

 

FAQs

Following are the FAQs. 

 

How long is the M-5 motorway?

The M-5 motorway is an impressive 392 kilometres (244 miles) long, making it the longest operational motorway in Pakistan. 

When was the M-5 motorway built?

Construction began in August 2016 and was completed in August 2019. The official inauguration ceremony took place on November 5 November 5, 2019. 

How much did the M-5 motorway cost?

The total cost of the motorway was around $2.89 billion. Most of this funding (90%) came from concessionary loans provided by Chinese state-owned banks, with the Pakistani government financing the remaining 10%. 

 

What cities does the M-5 motorway connect?

The M-5 motorway stretches from Multan in the north to Sukkur in the south. It passes through several prominent cities and towns, including Shujabad, Jalalpur Pirwala, Ahmedpur East, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Ubauro, and Pano Aqil. 

 

What are some key features of the M-5 motorway?

The M-5 motorway is a six-lane, high-speed motorway designed for efficient traffic flow. It boasts 54 bridges, including a major one over the Sutlej River. It features 12 service areas, 10 rest areas, 11 interchanges, ten flyovers, and 426 underpasses to cater to travellers’ needs. 

 For more information on Lahore Islamabad motorway, visit Graana.com.