ISLAMABAD, Jan 10 — The National Highway Authority (NHA) will widen and upgrade the 130.24-kilometer Chakdara–Chitral section of the N-45 highway once approval of the PC-I is finalized. The project is expected to improve safety, reduce travel time, and strengthen connectivity for communities in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Documents reviewed by Wealth Pakistan show that three segments of the route — 38.85 km from Chakdara to Timergara, 43.39 km from Akhagram to Dir, and 48 km from Kalkatak to Chitral — are included in the plan. Most codal formalities have been completed, with remaining requirements under way.

The N-45 spans 312 km, linking Chitral in the north with Nowshera in the south through Dir and Chakdara. Officials note the highway’s role as a key north-south transport corridor, connecting remote districts to the rest of the country and supporting regional trade and economic activity.

Also Read: NLC Launches Dedicated Freight Corridor, Multimodal Logistics Park to Ease Karachi Traffic Woes

Feasibility studies for all three sections have been completed. Consultancy services for detailed design and PC-I preparation are in progress, while procurement of civil works will follow once designs are finalized. For Section III (Kalkatak–Chitral), a revised PC-I has been submitted and is under review. Earlier procurement efforts were annulled due to high bid prices, and the project is now in the re-bidding phase.

NHA spokesperson Mazhar Hussain said the upgrade will enhance year-round accessibility to Chitral, which often faces isolation during severe weather. He added that the modernized road will facilitate goods transport, boost tourism, and lower costs for local communities. The project is also expected to generate employment during construction and deliver long-term economic benefits by integrating Malakand and Upper Dir districts more effectively with national markets.