In a major infrastructure upgrade, the Karachi Northern Bypass will be transformed into an 8-lane motorway from ICI Bridge to Hamdard University Chowk, spanning 34 kilometres. The upgrade is part of the broader M-10 Motorway project, which aims to ease congestion and improve connectivity between Karachi and Interior Sindh.
National Highways Authority (NHA) Chairman Muhammad Shehryar Sultan announced the plan during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications, chaired by MNA Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani. He said the project’s feasibility study is being carried out by NESPAK to accommodate rising traffic volumes from Karachi Port.
The plan also includes the construction of a new 134-km six-lane M-10 Motorway through the Khirthar mountain range, linking to the M-6 at Jamshoro. An additional 23-km stretch from Hamdard Chowk to M-9 will be upgraded to six lanes.
The committee expressed dissatisfaction over the repeated toll rate hikes and warned the NHA against violating its three-year revision policy. It demanded a detailed explanation at the next session. Motorway Police briefed the committee on FIRs under Section 279 PPC for excessive speeding, reporting fewer casualties. The committee is considering replacing FIRs with heavy fines and license suspensions.
Other issues discussed included toll plaza policy violations, Hyderabad toll exemptions, and deteriorating bridge infrastructure. The committee also reviewed the upcoming M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad project, with work expected to begin in April 2026, and sought updates on controversial contract awards under the CAREC project.
