East-Bay Expressway construction in full swing

Construction of East-Bay Expressway, connecting Mekran Coastal Highway (N-20) with Free Trade Zone of Gwadar Port, is in full swing to reap maximum fruits of the game-changer China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

The 19-kilometer expressway, being constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,450 million, is scheduled to be completed by this year, official sources told APP.

The government has released an amount of Rs180 million for the construction of East-Bay Expressway during the fiscal year 2017-18.

At present, Gwadar deep sea port has the only transit source of a narrow 16 feet wide thoroughfare of Gwadar town at the West-Bay. The trawlers and trucks loaded with imported shipments pass through this strip causing disruption of normal traffic as they have no other suitable source.

The port does not have a dedicated wide highway to cater the transporting requirements of the post. The port operation, even with the available three multi-purpose berths, demands construction of the planned East-Bay expressway.

The 6-lane expressway along with a provision of 30 meters wide railway corridor would not only connect the port with the rest of the region rather provide quick, smooth and safe transport route.

The main purpose of the project is linking Gwadar Port with the main artery of national highway network and smooth logistic transportation of import, export and transit goods.

The project would be executed under the supervision of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.