M-2 motorway (Pakistan)

The M-2 was conceived by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his first term (1990–1993) and later inaugurated on November 26, 1997,[2] during his second term. In late 2006, upgrades were made to the portion of the M-2 passing through the Salt Ranges due to increasing complaints of drivers. The upgrades included better marking of the road lines and increased size of road signs for easy visibility. In 2016 M2 got completely new carpeting for a smooth and safer drive.

Contract for the M-2 was awarded to M/s Daewoo Corporation of Korea on Dec 30, 1991, at a cost of Rs23.686 billion on design-cum-construct basis. The original contract was for four-lane facility.

Daewoo provided loan of $379 million as supplier’s credit at Libor plus one interest to meet 40 per cent of the project cost, repayable in 21 semi-annual equal instalments. The loan was revised to $654 million due to enhanced scope of work but final loan utilisation touched $702 million.https://www.dawn.com/news/70302

The motorway passes through the Salt Range mountains

The M-2 starts to the west of Lahore, at the Thokar Niaz Baig junction of N-5 (National Highway No. 5). Once it crosses the Ravi River, it diverges from the N-5 (also known as GT or Grand Trunk Road) and heads west towards Sheikhupura. After passing the Sheikhupura Interchange Khanqah Dogran Interchange comes at a distance of 36 km from the Sheikhupura Interchange. After once at Pindi Bhattian, it crosses the M3 junction and turns north-west. It continues all the way to Kallar Kahar, where it enters the Salt Ranges. Once past the Salt Ranges, the M-2 turns north and ends just west of Rawalpindi at the junction between the Islamabad Link Road and the M1. The whole stretch of the M-2 consists of 6 lanes, and there are a number of rest areas along the route, with washroom and eating facilities. The M2 is a motorway in Punjab province, Pakistan. It is 367 km long and begins in Lahore. It then passes through Kot Abdul Malik, Sheikhupura, Pindi Bhattian, Kot Momin, Salem, bhera, Lilla Town, Kallar Kahar, Balksar, and Chakri before ending just outside the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It then continues on to eventually become the M1 motorway linking the twin cities with Peshawar.

Fuel Stations are only available at 5 locations on each side of the road (North & South), These places are called Services Area (or قیام و طعام)

• Sukheki Services Area - سکھیکی قیام و طعام
• Sial Services Area - سیال قیام و طعام
• Bhera Services Area - بھیرہ قیام و طعام
• Kalar Kahar Services Area - کلر کہار قیام و طعام
• Chakri - Services Area - چکری قیام و طعام

These services areas are on both sides of the roads, as crossing from inside the motorway is not possible. While coming from Lahore to Islamabad Services Areas are called North Sides (Going towards north) whereas Coming back towards Lahore the services areas are called South Sides ( Going towards South Side). Example: Sukheki North Service Area is when coming from Lahore to Islamabad, Sukheki South Services Area is when going towards Lahore. Average distance between two services are 60–80 km.

Other than Services Areas for the facilities of commuters, the FWO has granted licences for Rest Areas with some basic services. The Rest Areas are being operated by private investors under the supervision of Frontier Works Organization (FWO). Bake & Bite is operating these Rest Areas The Rest Areas contain following services/amenities on each side of the location.

• Mosque
• Fast Food Restaurants (including KFC, McDonald's, Hardee's and Subway at some service areas)
• Bakery
• Tuck Shop
• Restrooms
• Work Shops
• Petrol pumps

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  Ravi toll plaza, Lahore
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  Lahore-islamabad Motorway (M-2)
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  Lahore-Islamabad Motorway
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  Lahore-Islamabad Motorway
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  Lahore-Islamabad Motorway
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  Lahore-Islamabad motorway
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  Motorway M2(lahore-Islamabad)

• Motorways of Pakistan
• National Highways of Pakistan
• National Highway Authority (Pakistan)
• National Highways and Motorway Police

• Official website
• Failed state? Try Pakistan’s M2 motorway DAWN.com
• Motorway drive from Lahore to Islamabad