ISLAMABAD: The National Highway Authority (NHA) has initiated work on a plan to build a 10-kilometre tunnel along the Salt Range section of the M-2 Motorway near Kallar Kahar, a location long associated with steep slopes and a high number of fatal accidents.
To move forward with the project, the NHA has issued a tender for consultancy services, inviting qualified firms to submit proposals for the feasibility study and design of the tunnel. The last date for submission is August 16, 2025.
A pre-proposal conference will be held on July 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the NHA Headquarters in Islamabad. The procurement process will follow the single stage – two envelope procedure.
Only engineering consultancy firms registered in the relevant field and listed on the Federal Board of Revenue’s Active Taxpayers List (ATL) are eligible to apply. Interested parties can download the Request for Proposals (RFP) from the NHA website or obtain them from the office of the General Manager (P&CA) at NHA Headquarters, Islamabad, during working hours by paying a non-refundable fee of Rs. 1,000.
The plan to construct a tunnel through the Salt Range was finalised in December 2024 during a meeting chaired by NHA General Manager Hafiz Tahir. According to NHA officials, four firms took part in the initial feasibility phase. The process has since entered the technical evaluation stage, with a consultant expected to be selected soon.
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Concerns over the high rate of accidents on the Salt Range section of the M-2 Motorway led authorities to consider structural changes to improve safety. The matter, raised by various stakeholders, was reviewed by the Prime Minister’s Steering Committee, which advised building a tunnel to address the risks posed by the terrain.
The 10-kilometre stretch between Kallar Kahar and the Salt Range, once admired for its scenic views, now stands out for its hazardous conditions. Sharp turns and steep gradients have caused numerous serious accidents, drawing strong criticism and calls from the public for immediate action.
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