By Hamid Mahmood ISLAMABAD, Feb. 15 (INP-WealthPK): Pakistan has seen over 800 kilometres of roads built and another 813km being developed since the start of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2013, enabling the country to be on a par with the countries that have a robust and sustainable road infrastructure. It is to note here that a road network of 2,988 kilometres is currently under the planning phase, reports WealthPK. Highway network of CPEC

Courtesy: CPEC Authority, Ministry of PD&SI

The CPEC is a main project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is designed to boost economic development and integration of the recipient nations. In BRI recipient nations, a number of infrastructure development projects, including on motorways, rail, energy, airports, and other associated ones, are being executed. Pakistan, like many other nations, is on the list of countries where revolutionary advancements are taking place as part of the BRI programme, according to WealthPK. The multibillion-dollar project is meant to strengthen Pakistan’s regional connectivity, diversify investment possibilities, develop its tourism sector and enhance economic security and stability. Some CPEC projects are close to completion, some have already been completed, while others are in early stages of development. These ventures provide local communities with business and job possibilities. According to CPEC project estimates, it will impact the future of local communities by ensuring their access to economic possibilities in the shape of a developed communication infrastructure and industrial zones. According to CPEC Authority, 19 major road projects have been undertaken as part of CPEC, covering over 5,000 kilometres of distance right from Khunjerab in Gilgit-Baltistan to Sindh. These include five highway projects that would link Khunjerab, which borders China, to Pakistan's Gwadar Port through the western and eastern routes. The roadway details are given in the table below.

S. #	Projects	Length (KM)	Cost (Mn $)
Completed
1	KKH Phase II (Havelian - Thakot Section)	120	1315
2	Peshawar-Karachi Motorway (Multan-Sukkur Section)	392	2889
3	Hakla - D.I Khan Motorway	297	718.72
Under Development
4	Zhob - Quetta (Kuchlak) (N-50)	305	393.14
5	Khuzdar-Basima Road (N-30)	106	$0.12 bn
6	Hoshab - Awaran Road Section (M-8)	146	$0.15 bn
7	KKH Alternate Route Shandur - Chitral Road	153	$0.09 bn
8	Nokundi-Mashkhel Road	103	$0.04 bn
Under Consideration
9	Up-gradation and Dualization of ML-1 and establishment of Dry Port near Havelian	1733	6806
10	Up-gradation of D.I Khan (Yarik) - Zhob, N-50 Phase-I	235	449.9
11	KKH Alternative Route Gilgit-Shandur Road	213	$ 0.29 bn
12	Realignment of KKH Phase-I Thakot - Raikot Section	250	* NG
13	Peshawar - D.I Khan Motorway	360	$1.62bn
14	Awaran - Khuzdar Road Section (M-8)	168	$0.19 bn
15	Dir Expressway	29.6	$0.23 bn
Long-Term
16	Mirpur-Muzaffarabad-Mansehra Road	200	NG
17	Mashkhel - Pangur Road	200	NG
18	Quetta Mass Transit	NG	NG
19	Greater Peshawar Region Mass Transit	NG	NG

Courtesy: CPEC Authority, Ministry of PD&SI          (*NG= Not Given) The road projects launched under CPEC have not only increased the country’s ranking as far as a robust communication infrastructure is concerned, but also enhanced the quality of roads, enabling speedy transportation of both humans and goods. The present-day economies are increasingly focused on enhancing connectivity to shift the benefits of economic activity from the rich to the emerging economies. This leads to a need for construction of commercial and economic corridors as a secure and reliable approach to connect the global production networks. The CPEC portfolio has enabled Pakistan to have an adequate road infrastructure, both in terms of capacity and quality, thus creating an environment favourable to drawing foreign investment in the country.