KP Government Approves Rs 580 Million Datta-Kotkay Bypass to Boost Tourism and Connectivity in Mansehra

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has approved Rs 580 million for the construction of the Datta-Kotkay Bypass, a crucial infrastructure project designed to ease traffic congestion in Mansehra and improve connectivity across the region.

Approved by KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, the bypass will link the Karakoram Highway (KKH) with the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road, providing a faster and more efficient route for commuters and tourists traveling between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Officials have described the project as a “game changer” for the region, particularly for tourism and trade in the Kaghan Valley and other parts of Mansehra district. The bypass will divert heavy traffic away from the city’s congested roads, reducing travel time and improving safety for local residents and travelers alike.

At an event marking the inauguration of a newly built government middle school in Huddobandi, Kamal Saleem Swati, Provincial Deputy President of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), highlighted the bypass’s importance.

“This road will save time and reduce traffic jams for visitors traveling between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and AJK,” he said. “It will also promote tourism and trade in the Kaghan Valley and beyond.”

He further noted that students of the Huddobandi school had previously been studying in temporary facilities after the old building was demolished due to structural damage.

Kamal Saleem Swati emphasized that the provincial government has undertaken numerous long-delayed development projects to address infrastructure gaps and improve living conditions in rural areas. “Our focus is on improving infrastructure and easing people’s lives,” he stated.

Additionally, Rs 100 million have been allocated from the KP Assembly Speaker’s development fund for the construction of farm-to-market roads and pavements in Safada Village Council.

Meanwhile, Safada Village Council Chairman Basharat Ali Swati lauded Babar Saleem Swati’s role in securing funds for key road and public welfare projects, underscoring his dedication to regional development and accessibility.

A Step Toward Sustainable Growth

The Datta-Kotkay Bypass is expected to enhance regional connectivity, strengthen tourism infrastructure, and spur local economic activity by making travel between KKH and AJK faster and safer. Once completed, the project will serve as a vital artery for both commercial transport and tourist mobility, marking another milestone in KP’s ongoing infrastructure modernization efforts.

Afsheen Gohar

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