ISLAMABAD: The federal government has allocated Rs. 30 billion for the Hyderabad-Sukkur M-6 Motorway in the fiscal year 2026-27, supporting the development of the 306-kilometre road project in Sindh.
The allocation comprises Rs. 28 billion in foreign assistance and Rs. 2 billion in local funding. The amount is below the Rs. 70 billion requested for the project during the current fiscal year.
The approved cost of the M-6 project stands at approximately Rs. 363.7 billion, following a revision from an earlier estimate of around Rs. 395 billion.
M-6 Divided Into Five Sections
The National Highway Authority (NHA) has divided the motorway into five sections to facilitate construction and financing arrangements.
These sections cover:
- Hyderabad to Tando Adam
- Tando Adam to Nawabshah
- Nawabshah to Naushahro Feroze
- Naushahro Feroze to Ranipur
- Ranipur to Sukkur
Different financing models have been assigned to the five sections. The Hyderabad-Tando Adam and Tando Adam-Nawabshah sections are being developed under a public-private partnership arrangement.
The Nawabshah-Naushahro Feroze section is being financed through the OPEC Fund, while the Naushahro Feroze-Ranipur and Ranipur-Sukkur sections are supported through financing from the Islamic Development Bank.
Six-Lane Motorway to Improve Connectivity
The M-6 is planned as a six-lane motorway connecting Hyderabad with Sukkur. Once developed, it will provide a direct motorway link between the two cities and contribute to the broader north-south road network connecting Karachi with upper Sindh and Punjab.
The project is also expected to improve the movement of passenger and freight traffic along the corridor by providing a higher-capacity road connection.
Funding Gap Remains a Key Consideration
The Rs. 30 billion allocation for 2026-27 represents less than half of the Rs. 70 billion sought for the project during the year. The actual pace of construction will depend on the availability of funds under the respective financing arrangements and progress across individual sections.
The motorway corridor also passes through or connects several important locations, including Tando Adam, Nawabshah, Naushahro Feroze and Ranipur. Improved road connectivity can support commercial, logistics and transportation activity along the route as construction advances.
However, property and development decisions around the proposed corridor should take into account actual construction progress, approved interchange locations and project timelines rather than relying solely on the announced allocation or long-term plans.
