PESHAWAR: The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has directed the concern authorities to open Swat Expressway for traffic before Eidul Fitr. The directions were issued by Chief Minister Mehmood Khan on Tuesday.
Khan expressed the hope that with the opening of the new road, not only the people of Swat will be able to have an easy mood of communication but it will also be helpful in promoting tourism in the scenic Malakand division. He added the provincial exchequer will be in a position to earn the much-needed revenue with the opening of the new road.
The Chief Minister expressed these views while addressing the gathering, called by him, to examine the work on the Swat Expressway. The Chief Minister claimed that for the first time in the history of the country, an expressway has been constructed for the promotion of tourism. He revealed that Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the road immediately after Eidul fitr.
The Chief Minister also said that soon he will visit the Swat Expressway to examine the overall work on the road. After the meeting, a statement was released saying that the road will give a boost to the economy of the province by providing an easy mood of transportation to the national and international tourists.
The Swat Expressway starts from Karnal Sher Interchange in Swabi district and concludes at Chakdara in Dir Lower district. The four-line 120 Kilometer road passes through 21 bridges and 1300 meters twin tunnels on the National Highway N-45.
Former provincial chief minister Pervez Khattak had laid the foundation stone of the road on August 25, 2016. With the aim to provide fast track communication facilities to thousands of travellers visiting Malakand on daily basis. A total of 51 kilometres patch – from Karnal Sher Khan Swabi Interchange up to Katlang Mardan – was opened for traffic on May 21, 2018, while the remaining road will be opened before Eid.
