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.
| 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, 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.
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) |
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 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.
Following are the FAQs.
The M-5 motorway is an impressive 392 kilometres (244 miles) long, making it the longest operational motorway in Pakistan.
Construction began in August 2016 and was completed in August 2019. The official inauguration ceremony took place on November 5 November 5, 2019.
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%.
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.
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.
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