M-2 motorway (Pakistan)

The M-2 was conceived by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his first term (1990–1993). The contract was awarded to Daewoo Group of South Korea on 30 December 1991 at a cost of Rs. 23,686 billion on a design-cum-construct basis. The original contract was for a four-lane facility. Daewoo provided a loan of $379 million as supplier's credit, covering 40% of the construction cost. The loaned amount would eventually grow to $702 million. The other 60% of the cost would be paid by the government. The motorway was inaugurated on November 26, 1997, during Sharif's second term. In late 2006, upgrades were made to the portion of the M-2 passing through the Salt Range 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, the M-2 motorway was resurfaced 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 (National Highway 5). Once it crosses the Ravi River, it diverges from the N-5 (also known as Grand Trunk Road) and heads west towards Sheikhupura. After passing the Sheikhupura Interchange, the Khanqah Dogran Interchange comes at a distance of 36 km from the Sheikhupura Interchange. Once at Pindi Bhattian, it crosses the M-4 junction and turns north-west. It continues all the way to Kallar Kahar, where it enters the Salt Range. Past the Salt Range, the M-2 turns north and ends just west of Rawalpindi at the junction between the Islamabad Link Road and the M-1. It then continues on to eventually become the M-1 motorway, linking Islamabad and Rawalpindi with Peshawar. The whole stretch of the M-2 consists of six lanes. There are a number of rest areas along the route, with eateries, washroom, fuel stations, and vehicle maintenance workshops. ==Interchanges==

==Fuel stations and Service Areas==

Fuel Stations are only available at 5 locations on each side of the road (North & South), These places are called Services Areas (or ) • Sukheki Services Area - • Sial Services Area - • Bhera Services Area – • Kalar Kahar Services Area - • Chakri 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, the 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). For example, Sukheki North Service Area is when a traveller is coming from Lahore to Islamabad, while Sukheki South Services Area is found when going towards Lahore. Average distance between any two service areas is 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 (FWO). Bake & Bite is operating these Rest Areas. Moreover, the Rest Areas contain the 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 • Workshops • Petrol pumps == Entry points for Islamabad and Lahore on M-2 ==

Islamabad Entry Points • Balkasar Interchange • Chakri Interchange • Thalian Interchange (WARNING: It is better to take the main Islamabad exit because if you take this exit, you will need to go through Islamabad Airport). • Islamabad Interchange Lahore Entry Points • Kot Abdul Malik Interchange • Kala Shah Kaku Interchange • Babu Sabu interchange. • Thokar Niaz Baig interchange. == Gallery ==

File:M-2 Motorway Pakistan.jpg|M-2 Motorway on a sunny afternoon File:M-2 Motorway approaching Islamabad.jpg|M-2 Motorway approaching Islamabad File:Lahore-Islamabad M2 motorway (Pakistan) 02.jpg|The Motorway on a clear day File:Motorway M2, Salt Range, Pakistan 03.jpg|Near the Salt Range File:Motorway M2, Lahore to Islamabad.jpg|The Motorway in the evening ==See also==