M2 motorway (Pakistan)


The M-2 motorway is a north–south motorway in Pakistan, connecting Rawalpindi/Islamabad to Lahore. The motorway is 375 km long and located entirely in Punjab. It is among the top five high-speed highways in the world, with the others having the likes of Autobahn in Germany, and the E 11 road. It passes through, Faizpur, Kot Abdul Malik, Kala Shah Kaku, Sheikhupura, Khanqah Dogran, Kot Sarwar, Pindi Bhattian, Salem, Lilla Town, Kot Momin, Kallar Kahar, Balksar, Nila Dulha and Chakri before ending just outside the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It was the first motorway built in South Asia. At Junction of M2 and M1 there is an interchange which on one side connect Islamabad/Rawalpindi through an expressway of 8 km long, and the new Islamabad international airport through the other side of junction. It then continues on to eventually become the M1 motorway linking the twin cities with Peshawar. The M-2 crosses the junction of the M4 at Pindi Bhattian. It is part of Pakistan's Motorway Network. The motorway is also a part of the Asian Highway AH1.
One of the most expensive motorways in Asia, it has the highest pillared-bridge in Asia at the Khewra Salt Range. The Pakistan Air Force has used the M2 motorway as a runway on three occasions: for the first time in 2000 when it landed an F-7P fighter, a Super Mushak trainer and a C-130 and, again, in 2010. On the last occasion, the PAF used a runway section on the M2 motorway on 2 April 2010 to land, refuel and take-off two jet fighters, a Mirage III and an F-7P, during its Highmark 2010 exercise, the PAF used runway section again in 2017 to practice in hour of the emergency.
In 2016, the entire motorway was recarpeted and resurfaced- a work that stretched over several months. Frontier Works Organization. New tolls plazas have been installed on every interchanges with the new and latest e-tag system. The formal Miles board are changed to digital boards at a lot of places.
There are ten service and rest areas on both sides of the whole motorway, having facilities of Insta fueling, Insta Carwash, Insta car repair and fast food restaurants such as KFC,McDonald's and Gloria Jean's Coffees among others.

History

The M-2 was conceived by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his first term and later inaugurated on November 26, 1997, 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.

Route

The M-2 starts to the west of Lahore, at the Thokar Niaz Baig junction of N-5. Once it crosses the Ravi River, it diverges from the N-5 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.

Interchanges

Fuel stations and Service Areas

Fuel Stations are only available at 5 locations on each side of the road, These places are called Services Area
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 whereas Coming back towards Lahore the services areas are called South Sides. 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.

Rest Areas

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. Bake & Bite is operating these Rest Areas The Rest Areas contain following services/amenities on each side of the location.