ISLAMABAD: Construction of the 306-kilometre Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway (M-6) is scheduled to begin in November 2026, according to a briefing given by the National Highway Authority (NHA) to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division.
NHA Member Planning and Design Dr. Shafique informed the committee that the motorway has been divided into five sections, with the revised overall project cost estimated at approximately Rs. 359–364 billion.
M-6 Divided Into Five Sections
The five sections of the motorway are:
- Section-I: Hyderabad to Tando Adam, 57 kilometres, estimated at Rs. 81 billion
- Section-II: Tando Adam to Nawabshah, 63 kilometres, estimated at Rs. 70 billion
- Section-III: Nawabshah to Naushehro Feroz, 65 kilometres, estimated at Rs. 69 billion
- Section-IV: Naushehro Feroz to Ranipur, 61 kilometres, estimated at Rs. 68 billion
- Section-V: Ranipur to Sukkur, 60 kilometres, estimated at Rs. 71 billion
Sections I and II are planned under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, while the remaining three sections are being developed with support from international financial institutions.
Financing and Procurement Progress
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has signed a $475 million financing agreement for Sections IV and V, while the OPEC Fund Board has approved $230 million for Section III.
For the two PPP sections, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement to provide transaction advisory services.
The revised PC-I, with a cost of approximately Rs. 364 billion, has been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). Land acquisition for the main motorway corridor has also been completed, according to the briefing.
Bidding Process Underway
Procurement activities for the sections supported by international lenders are progressing on separate timelines.
Bids for Section III were received on September 2, 2026, and are currently under evaluation, with contract acceptance expected in November.
For Sections IV and V, bidding documents were issued on July 24. Bids for Section IV were opened on September 3 and remain under evaluation, while bids for Section V are expected to be opened in October following a delay related to the Grievance Redressal Committee process.
Tendering for Sections I and II under the PPP model is scheduled for November 6. Bids are expected by December 30, with the concession award targeted for February 4, 2027.
With the five sections moving through different procurement and financing stages, the planned November construction start will depend on completion of the relevant contracting and implementation processes.
