Gwadar’s Eastbay Expressway Phase-II Referred to ECNEC

ISLAMABAD, Jun 19 (Gwadar Pro) - Pakistan’s Central Development Working Party (CDWP), chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, has referred the “Construction of Eastbay Expressway Phase-II in Gwadar”, a key infrastructure project under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.

The project, estimated at Rs30.13 billion is proposed to be financed through 95% Chinese Grant-in-Aid. Once approved, it will further enhance Gwadar’s strategic role in regional trade and connectivity.

Designed as a 13.8 km long, six-lane (four paved) dual carriageway, the Phase-II Expressway will connect the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) directly with the existing Eastbay Expressway, facilitating uninterrupted, high-speed access for cargo traffic to the Gwadar Port. The project also includes complementary infrastructure such as a toll plaza, drainage system, street lighting, a security fence, and watch towers.

This expressway is critical to unlocking Gwadar’s logistics potential and operational efficiency at the port. The project was previously discussed and prioritized during several Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) and Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings under CPEC, where the Chinese side reaffirmed its strategic importance.

In total, CDWP approved six development projects worth Rs9.21 billion and referred four major infrastructure schemes, totaling Rs451 billion, to ECNEC. They include several vital infrastructure projects to enhance road connectivity and electricity access in underserved areas.