Construction work of M-9 to start soon

[Salman]

ISLAMABAD: National Highways Authority (NHA) would start physical work on Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M-9) project soon.

An official of NHA informed the implementation on M-9 project was priority of Authority and Sindh government has been facilitating NHA in administrative matters to ensure better and qualitative communication service to the people.

He said 136 kilometers long Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway was an important project not only in the perspective to have better communication facilities to the people of both cities but was a part of Karachi-Lahore Motorway (KLM) project to facilitate people of entire country. Presently Super Highway was in dilapidated condition due to heavy traffic and expiry of its designed period. He said for repair and improvement of the highway, NHA approved periodic maintenance schemes under Annual Maintenance Plan (AMP) 2013-14 amounting to Rs 305.28 million.

Twice in past few years NHA awarded contract to two firms on build, operate, transfer basis but both failed to complete financial close as per conditions of the contract and their contracts were terminated. In September 2006, Authority had signed a concession agreement for construction of 136 km M-9 with Standard Construction but contract was cancelled next year as firm failed to complete financial close in time. In 2011 NHA awarded the contract of construction of Carica-Hyderabad Motorway (M-9) to Malaysian Construction Company Binapuri Holding on BOT basis with concessionaire period of 28 years. However NHA was forced to terminate the contact in September 2012 as said firm failed to complete financial close in stipulated time.

The Super Highway begins north of Carica at end of Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road, near junction of Karachi Northern Bypass (also known as M-10) is connected with Karachi Northern Bypass with a trumpet interchange.

Then it continues out of the city. From there it continues on northeast track and forms a junction with the N-5 via a link road.

The highway ends outside of Hyderabad, in the suburban town of Kotri with a cloverleaf interchange where it merges into N-5. The M-9 Motorway will have seven interchanges, two service areas at the midway points and 16 toll plazas on entry and exit points.