NHA to Expand Faisalabad-Multan Motorway (M4) to 6 Lanes

The National Highway Authority (NHA) has unveiled plans to upgrade the Faisalabad-Multan Motorway (M4) from its current 4 lanes to 6 lanes. The 294-kilometre motorway, which serves as a crucial link between Karachi and Islamabad, was completed in 2018 but is now facing heavy traffic congestion, prompting the need for expansion.

The Faisalabad-Multan Motorway (M4) has become one of the busiest routes in Pakistan, connecting major cities like Faisalabad, Pindi Bhattian, and Multan. With increasing traffic volume, the existing 4-lane structure is no longer sufficient to handle the flow of vehicles, leading to frequent bottlenecks and delays.

The current speed limit for cars/jeeps LTV is 100 kmph due to 2 lane on each side and most of the times commuters find it difficult to travel smoothly due to trucks overtaking on fast-lane which makes passenger vehicles to slow down from 100 kmph to 40 kmph behind the heavy vehicles.

The distance between Islamabad, the capital city, and Karachi, the port city, is approximately 1,460 kilometers, with an average drive time of 16 to 17 hours. However, the journey often becomes tedious and unpleasant due to speed restrictions. M4 Motorway 4 lane, A 297-kilometer stretch is limited to 100 km/h, while on the N5 highway from Sukkur to Hyderabad, the speed limit drops to 90 km/h, making the trip frustrating for travelers.

To address this issue, the government has decided to expand the motorway to 6 lanes.

The NHA has already issued a tender notice for the feasibility study of the project, marking the first step towards its implementation.

Key Details of the Project

Route: The motorway spans 294 kilometres, connecting Faisalabad, Pindi Bhattian, and Multan.
Current Status: Completed in 2018 as a 4-lane motorway.
Upgrade Plan: Conversion to 6 lanes to accommodate growing traffic.
Feasibility Study: Tender notice issued by NHA to assess the project’s scope and requirements.