M-1 to be opened for traffic by end of October
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABAD—Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M-1) will be opened for all types of traffic by the end of October,Member Motorways National Highway Authority (NHA) Altaf Chaudhry informed here on Wednesday.
He said “the contractors have almost completed work on remaining three sections of the motorway - Burhan-Swabi, Swabi-
Rashakai and Charsadda-Peshawar sections and the motorway would be opened for traffic after Eidul Fitr.”
It is pertinent to mention here that Islamabad-Burhan section and Rashakai-Charsadda section of M-1 were opened for traffic in 2004.
He said that the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) was oneof the most important road projects and its quality construction was top priority of the NHA.
Altaf Chaudhry said that for the motorists inter-changes onM-1 would be available at Burhan, Swabi, Rashakai, Charsadda, Fateh Jang, Jhang Bahtar and Chhachh near Hazro.
The NHA official said that 18 fly-overs, 2 service areas, 5 rest areas and 556 culverts were also included in the project.
He said that the 152 km Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) would be a 6-lane motorway similar to the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2), and would help promote inter-provincial harmony.
The Member NHA said the M-1 is being completed by thePakistani construction companies and completion of this project will be a big achievement which will help make country self- reliant in the field of road construction.
He said that M-1 would provide faster and alternate routebetween Islamabad and Peshawar and cater to international traffic from Central Asian Republics, China and Afghanistan to the ports and industrial areas of Pakistan. It will also help reduce the transportation costs ultimately benefiting the consumers, he added.
He further said that the completion of the project would benefit the people of the adjacent areas including Swabi,Mardan, Charsadda and Peshawar.He said this project will contribute to their economic development.
Altaf Chaudhry said that by completion of this project farm produce of the area will get access to markets in Karachi,Lahore and other major cities.He said that M-1 completion will also reduce travel time and cost for the people of Chitral,Dir,Swat as well.
He said that M-1 will form part of the National Trade Corridor (NTC) and it will be linked with Peshawar-Torkham Expressway.