Sialkot Lahore Motorway

A 6-lane motorway from Sialkot to Lahore, the two important industrial centers of Punjab, was to be constructed which would have given impetus to economic activities in the province. NHA recognized this motorway as M11, however it was also known as LSM, SLM, Lahore-Sialkot Motorway or Shahrah-e-Sanat (Industrial highway). Gujrat would have been linked with the Sialkot Lahore Motorway (SLM) by constructing a bridge on the Chenab river near Shahbazpur. It was supposed to reduce the distance between Sialkot and Lahore to just 45 minutes. The purpose of the mega project was to facilitate export of products grown or produced in Punjab which will have a positive impact on the country’s economy. The project was to be completed by the end of 2010.

Route
SLM will be six laned, having seven interchanges, eight flyovers, 40 bridges and 70 underpasses. Three industrial zones and two universities would also be established along the project. It will be linked with M2 and N5 through Lahore link road near Kala Shah Kaku. Originally it was planned to be built via Pasrur which was the shortest and direct link between Lahore and Sialkot but now the route has been changed and it will be running parallel to GT road, passing west of Daska, east of Wazirabad and ending up in Gujrat. It will be like a second GT road parallel to the first GT road. It will be useful to the people of Sialkot, Pasrur, Chawinda, Zafarwal, Narowal and Shakargarh districts.

History
The SLM was conceived by Ex Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in 2006 and foundation stone was laid in 2007, by President Pervez Musharraf. In 2010, the SLM would have been opened to the public but the Punjab government has shelved this grand project of Sialkot-Lahore Motorway due to non-availability of the funds.

Posted in: Sialkot,Sialkot Road