The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has approved a long-awaited project to construct two twin tunnels through the Margalla Hills, a development that will significantly cut travel time between Haripur and Islamabad.
According to officials, the tunnels will reduce the distance from Haripur to Islamabad to just eight kilometres, allowing commuters to complete the journey in only 10 to 15 minutes. Once completed, the tunnels will directly connect the Hazara Motorway (M-15) with Islamabad’s D-12 sector, providing a modern and efficient transport link for the region.
Construction is expected to begin in December 2025 and conclude by December 2028. The project has been added to the K-P Annual Development Programme 2025 and will be executed under a public-private partnership model. The provincial government has allocated Rs. 1 billion for the first year, while the Capital Development Authority (CDA) will also extend cooperation.
A feasibility study has already been completed, and the tunnels will be illuminated and built according to international standards.
Sources in the Hazara Development Authority said the project had been delayed for nearly two decades due to funding shortages and changes in government priorities. They emphasized that the provincial government is committed to seeing it through this time, even if federal participation remains limited.
Officials believe that the tunnels will enhance regional connectivity, alleviate traffic congestion, and bring economic benefits to the residents of Hazara and Islamabad.
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