Government to expand Gwadar Eastbay Expressway to connect to New Gwadar International Airport
The
government is set to embark on the expansion of the Gwadar Eastbay Expressway
in its second phase, connecting Gwadar Port to the New Gwadar International
Airport (NGIA). The Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) under the
Ministry of Maritime Affairs has formulated PC II for Eastbay Expressway Phase
II, which is slated to cover a distance of 10.5 kilometers. The funding for
this project will be provided by the government of Pakistan.
As reported
by Gwadar Pro, the initial phase of the Eastbay Expressway, known as Phase I,
was already completed and became operational on June 3, 2022. This six-lane
road spans approximately 19 kilometers and serves as the primary route for
Gwadar Port, facilitating the smooth flow of port traffic. This development
aligns with the vision of transforming Gwadar into a logistical and economic
hub for the region, consistent with the goals of the China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC).
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Gwadar International Airport opening postponed by an additional six months
Phase I of
the Eastbay Expressway incurred a cost of USD 168 million and established
essential connectivity between the Port, Free Zone I, Free Zone II, the Makran
Coastal Highway (N-10), and Motorway 8 (CPEC's Western route). This enhanced
connectivity supports efficient transportation of imported, exported, and
transit goods to Khujrab, located near the border of China.
Approval
for Gwadar Eastbay Expressway Phase I was granted by the Executive Committee of
the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on January 12, 2015. The contract
agreement was signed between the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) and the China
Communications Construction Company (CCCC) on September 24, 2017.
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The
groundbreaking ceremony for Eastbay Expressway Phase I took place on November
22, 2017, with the then Prime Minister presiding over the event. This project
was part of a broader $1.1 billion development package for the city and port of
Gwadar. Notably, the contract was awarded under a government-to-government
arrangement, as China provided interest-free loans for projects within the
framework of CPEC.
Source:
Daily Times