The 9.7km project includes three bridges and approach roads on both sides of the tunnel. The NHA will build the Malakand tunnel to shorten distance for travellers belonging to Dir, Malakand, Swat and adjacent areas. It will provide Pakistani with an easy access to Central Asian states, local press reported.
Chunil, a Korean company, prepared the feasibility study for the tunnel, recommending Dargai as the starting point and Batkhela as end point of the tunnel.
Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) gave approval of the project in May 2011.
