Government launches reconstruction of key trade route in Balochistan

A surveyor with his dumpy level at Turbat-Mand Highway. [Photo/MoP&D]

QUETTA, Jun. 26 (Gwadar Pro) - To boost border trade through improved connectivity, the Pakistani government has initiated the reconstruction and upgrade of the Turbat-Mand Road, a crucial link between the Pakistan-Iran border at Kech and the Gwadar-Ratodero Motorway (M-8). The M-8, which connects Sukkur-Larkana, Sindh to Gwadar, Balochistan, is part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’s central route.

 “The construction work on the Rs 19 billion South Balochistan project Turbat-Mand Highway has formally started. This is extremely vital for enhancing border trade in Makran Division by connecting M8 with Mand and Iran,” wrote Minister of Planning and Development Balochistan Zahoor Ahmad Buledi on his official X account. “This road will be an economic lifeline for District Kech and the entire Makran Division,” Mr. Buledi added.

In April 2023, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the reconstruction of the Turbat-Mand Road from M-8 to the Iranian border (Radeeq) project at a rationalized cost of Rs. 19.5 billion.

The project aims to reconstruct, improve, and upgrade the 115 km long carriageway starting from M-8 to Kurumb (Iranian border) in Balochistan. The road connects the Iranian border with the coastal belt in the west of Balochistan.

This project is part of the Southern Balochistan Development Package (SBDP). In November 2020, the government announced the Rs. 600 billion SBDP for nine districts of southern Balochistan to improve the living standards of local people. Of this amount, Rs. 540 billion was to be provided by the federal government, while the remainder would be spent by the provincial government.