intersection would be constructed to bridge final gap in traffic flow originating from Karachi’s industrial arteries through M9-N5 link road project, extending its reach upcountry: says Baqar
At the stone-laying ceremony of the M9-N5 link road interchange in the Kathore area on Tuesday, Sindh caretaker chief minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar said that the link road has been completed, but it needs to be integrated with the motorway to make it fully operational, for which he has laid the foundation stone.
Baqar said he had laid the foundation stone of the interchange on the M9 motorway. He said that the intersection would be constructed to bridge the final gap in the traffic flow originating from Karachi’s industrial arteries through the M9-N5 link road project, extending its reach upcountry.
He also said that with the culmination of the project, traffic would seamlessly navigate to the M9, streamlining the transportation network. The road leading to this interchange was constructed in record time, and it is ready to use, he added.
“With the integration of this missing link, the whole project will be fully operational, effectively realising the project’s objectives,” the interim CM pointed out on the occasion.
The M9-N5 link road stands as a milestone as the first public-private partnership project in Pakistan, awarded solely based on traffic revenue, without any equity, minimum revenue guarantee or any form of financial support from the provincial government.
The concessionaire for the M9-N5 link road project not only financed the project independently but also committed to managing operations and maintenance for the next 23 years using its resources, while the provincial government will reap the benefits of the traffic revenue throughout this period.
Baqar said that due to unforeseen delays in the finalisation of the interchange construction, the provincial government’s project revenues have taken a hit, leading the government to step in and compensate the concessionaire for the incurred loss of revenue.
He urged the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) director general to prioritise the connection of traffic to the M9 through slip lanes on a first-priority basis. “This crucial step will not only alleviate the ongoing financial burden on the Sindh government but also ensure the seamless progression of our project.”
Baqar said that in line with its commitment, the provincial government is prepared to promptly provide the required amount of funds for the construction in accordance with the existing agreement. He hoped that the FWO would complete the interchange within the 12-month timeline specified in the contract.