Why CPEC upwards from Mansehra includes N35, a much longer road than and using N15

[Shahid Abassi]

I always speculated and could never understand that why CPEC goes through N35, which is a much longer route to Gilgit than using the Kaghan road N15.
Is there any special reason for that? Any one knowledgeable on this forum can possibly explain?

 

[Talwar Gujjar]

Re: Why CPEC opwards from Mansehra includes N35, a much longer road than and using N15

Babusar pass, elevation 13,691 ft, is standing firm and tall between Kagan and Challas.

 

[fawad ali]

Re: Why CPEC opwards from Mansehra includes N35, a much longer road than and using N15

If they make a tunnel inside Babusar Pass , they can use this road as an all weather route. Right now this road closes over Babusar pass in winters. In summers, this route is 25% shorter than N35.

 

[Shahid Abassi]

Re: Why CPEC opwards from Mansehra includes N35, a much longer road than and using N15

What you mean by 25% shorter. On the map it looks like half of N35 route. and do you know how long a tunnel is needed through Babusar Pass? Ok never had an idea of Babusar Pass until I saw a video today of a travel through it. Really beautifull.

If they make a tunnel inside Babusar Pass , they can use this road as an all weather route. Right now this road closes over Babusar pass in winters. In summers, this route is 25% shorter than N35.

 

[خداداد]

If you have ever travelled on both these routes, you would have observed that N35 goes through much deprived areas of Shangla and Kohistan districts and also passes through a larger area of Diamir as compared to N15 which passes from Mansehra, Kaghan, Naran, Babusar Top and meets N35 at Chilas. Yes, Babusar Top has an altitude of more than 13,000 feet above sea level and has some of the steepest slopes in this area but it does not prevent engineers from coming to a feasible solution weather it be a tunnel or an alternate route around the pass. In my opinion, N35 route is better for a reason that it goes through remote and ignored areas of Pakistan (here i am not using the word KPK for a reason) which can be helpful in economic progress and enhancing lifestyle of people of these areas.

 

[Shahid Abassi]

I understand your reasoning but I was only thinking the economic side of it and then the fact that drivers could save may be 3-4 hours of drive as N15 would be more straight and shorter.

If you have ever travelled on both these routes, you would have observed that N35 goes through much deprived areas of Shangla and Kohistan districts and also passes through a larger area of Diamir as compared to N15 which passes from Mansehra, Kaghan, Naran, Babusar Top and meets N35 at Chilas. Yes, Babusar Top has an altitude of more than 13,000 feet above sea level and has some of the steepest slopes in this area but it does not prevent engineers from coming to a feasible solution weather it be a tunnel or an alternate route around the pass. In my opinion, N35 route is better for a reason that it goes through remote and ignored areas of Pakistan (here i am not using the word KPK for a reason) which can be helpful in economic progress and enhancing lifestyle of people of these areas.

 

[خداداد]

I understand your reasoning but I was only thinking the economic side of it and then the fact that drivers could save may be 3-4 hours of drive as N15 would be more straight and shorter.

If you consider that N15 has more traffic because of comparatively bigger towns and many tourist destinations on this route, then despite a shorter route, drivers will spend even more time on road, burn more fuel and this transit traffic will also cause problems for local people and tourists. Its good that you think for betterment of this country's matters and I appriciate that, but I have personally driven on both these routes and have observed the geographic and demographic aspects.