NHA approves 235-km Chilas route

NHA approves 235-km Chilas route to enhance regional connectivity and boost trade and tourism.

In a significant advancement for infrastructure development, the National Highway Authority (NHA) has given the green light for a 235-kilometer, four-lane motorway that will connect Mansehra with Kaghan, Naran, Jhal Kund, and ultimately Chilas. This landmark project is expected to drastically cut travel time and improve regional connectivity.

The upcoming Mansehra-Kaghan-Naran-Chilas Motorway will reduce the travel duration from seven hours to just two, providing a faster, safer, and more efficient route through northern Pakistan. Upon completion, it will serve as a key component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), enhancing both trade and tourism between the two nations. The motorway will be constructed to international standards, and the Federal Minister for Communications has instructed the NHA to initiate the project on an emergency basis due to its strategic importance.

As of mid-May 2025, the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad (MNJ) Road has reopened after a six-month closure caused by heavy snowfall. Tourists have begun returning to the Kaghan Valley, though the Babusar Pass—connecting Naran to Chilas—remains closed due to lingering snow but is expected to open soon as clearance efforts continue.

Experts suggest that this new motorway could revolutionize connectivity by potentially overcoming the annual winter closure between Naran and Chilas, which occurs due to the high-altitude Babusar Pass becoming impassable during the snowy months from late October to late May.

These seasonal blockages disrupt tourism, hinder trade, and restrict mobility for local communities. However, constructing the motorway at a lower altitude and integrating advanced engineering features like tunnels, snow galleries, and avalanche protection—similar to those on the Karakoram Highway—could make it an all-season route.

Such an all-weather motorway would ensure continuous access, enhance trade along CPEC, increase tourism, and offer safer, more dependable travel for locals and tourists alike.

The overall success of the project, however, hinges on its final route. If the new motorway follows the existing Babusar Pass alignment, winter closures may persist. But a route through lower elevations or with weather-resilient infrastructure could eliminate these seasonal disruptions permanently.