ISLAMABAD, Jan 10 — The National Highway Authority (NHA) is preparing to widen and improve the 130-kilometer Chakdara–Chitral section of the N-45 highway, with work to begin once the PC-I is approved. The project is designed to strengthen connectivity in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reduce travel challenges for communities in the mountainous region.
According to official documents, three segments of the route — Chakdara to Timergara (38.85 km), Akhagram to Dir (43.39 km), and Kalkatak to Chitral (48 km) — will be upgraded. Most formalities have been completed, and detailed design work is under way. Procurement of civil works will follow after PC-I approval.
The N-45 spans 312 km, linking Chitral in the north with Nowshera in the south through Dir and Chakdara. Officials highlight its importance as a north-south corridor that connects remote districts to national markets and supports trade, tourism, and local economies.
Feasibility studies for all three sections have been finalized. Consultancy services for detailed design are in progress, while a revised PC-I for the Kalkatak–Chitral stretch is under review. Earlier procurement was annulled due to high bid prices, and the project has entered the re-bidding phase.
NHA spokesperson Mazhar Hussain said the upgrade will improve travel safety, reduce journey times, and ensure year-round access to Chitral, which often faces isolation during harsh weather. He added that the modernized road will facilitate goods transport, lower costs for communities, and generate employment during construction, while supporting long-term socio-economic development in Malakand and Upper Dir districts.
