The government has approved Rs 580 million for the construction of the Datta-Kotkay Bypass, a long-awaited project that will connect the Karakoram Highway (KKH) with the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad (MNJ) Road.
Once completed, the new bypass is anticipated to ease heavy traffic flow through Mansehra city, reduce travel time for commuters, and open new opportunities for tourism and trade in the region.
A Major Step Toward Regional Connectivity
Speaking at the inauguration of a newly built government middle school in Huddobandi, Kamal Saleem Swati, the provincial deputy president of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), confirmed that the project was approved via the efforts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.
He described the bypass as a long-overdue development that will prove to be highly advantageous not only residents of Mansehra but also travelers heading toward Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
“This artery will save time for tourists and commuters while helping decongest the city’s main routes,” Mr. Swati stated. “It will also boost local businesses by improving accessibility to nearby tourist destinations such as Kaghan Valley.”
Improving Infrastructure and Local Livelihoods
Mr. Swati emphasized that the provincial government was focusing on neglected infrastructure projects that had been ignored for decades. “For the first time, we have launched development schemes that directly impact people’s lives,” he said.
The Datta-Kotkay Bypass is expected to change travel between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and AJK, offering a smoother and faster route for commercial and tourist traffic. Officials keep on believing that the project will also encourage private investment in the hospitality and transport sectors of Mansehra district.
Additionally, Mr. Swati declared that Rs 100 million had been allocated for farm-to-market roads and pavement projects in the Safada village council, further strengthening local infrastructure.
Community Appreciation
Safada Village Council Chairman Basharat Ali Swati has shown appreciation Speaker Babar Saleem Swati’s efforts, saying the new bypass and related projects will greatly ease daily commuting and improve economic activity in the area.
“The people of Mansehra have waited for years to glance over such meaningful development,” he said. “This project gives us real hope for progress and prosperity.”