Road Condition in Sindh - Feb 2014

[RajaSajid]

This is to guide PW members who are planning to travel by road from / to Karachi.
Recently, travelled between Karachi and Islamabad twice in 2 months time. Good to see that finally N-5 in Sindh area has got the attention of the government. Under the supervision of Chinese engineers, many sections being revamped completely (not just usual carpeting work). However, this will take some time to complete. Till then too many diversions low down the speed and driving demands more attention than usual. Another problem which does not allow fast movement is the sugarcane crushing season, tractor trollies (carrying load 4 times their size) occupy one side of the road. Both these problems are more serious in Qazi Ahmed, Ranipur,Khairpur, Ghoki-Dhaharki areas.

Hope that road condition will improve in next 3-4 months, and N5 in Sindh will be as good as it is in Punjab.

I'll be travelling to Islamabad again next week and return after 10-12 days. Will share updates with you soon.

[aarish]

Thank you for this information brother. Can you please give me info on the road condition from Bahawalpur to Daharki. I mean which stretches are good and which stretches are bad, and how much time should I expect to take.

[farooq05]

wonderful thread and requesting frequent travelers to keep it updated, have a safe journey! thx.

[RajaSajid]

Dear Aarish,
Most bad patches or roadwork happening in Sindh (particularly Daharki and onwards - if coming from Bahawalpur). Estimated travel time between Bahawalpur and Daharki : approx. 4 hours @ 100 km/hour (and 1-2 very short stops).
Hope that it helps.

[RajaSajid]

Hi All,

I'm leaving for Islamabad tomorrow morning (by air), and intend returning to Karachi by road on 14th March. Last time, had to leave my car in Rawalpindi due to some personal reasons. Now, from Islamabad, we'll go to Lahore for 3 day stay and then move towards Karachi - likely night stay at Rahim Yar Khan.

One of my colleagues will also be accompanying me, so we may explore alternate route sections. Any advice on route, stay will be most appreciated.

Regards,
Sajid

[mountainier]

Hi Mate,

you can try the Multan DG Khan road and then onwards till Kashmore and Larkana - Dadu - Sewan - Jamshoro - KHI.....

N55 is in top notch condition till Kashmore, you will have to cover the Kashmore Larkana section in the day light because of lawlessness in the region but rest assured it is prety safe during the day... the road has some bad patches in between Kashmore and Shikarpur but it is better than N5 and that too with less traffic and extremely beautiful and drivable road....

If you take that road do let us know about the experiences that you encounter during the trip

[RajaSajid]

Thanks Mountainier,
with slight delays, am now in Lahore and planning to leave for Karachi after 2 days.
I've always avoided the suggested route because of security situation. Still am a bit reluctant, preparing myself to try the route - so I can share the experience with you
Do pray for me, to be able t reach Karachi safely.
Regards,
Sajid

[capsat]

charge your camera and keep snapping important points junctions & places of importance over this route. please do share fuel stations, food quality, availability across the route & overall driving conditions. Pictures are most important for assessment of travellers.

[RajaSajid]

apologies to mountaineer and other fellows, as I had to take the regular N5 route - reason : one of my friends in Lahore asked me to drop him at moro as he has to meet some relatives there. We had free seat in our car so he accompanied us.

We left Lahore (thokar niaz bag) at 6:30 pm, reached Multan around 1 am. you can very well imagine how fast (or slow) I drive. Actually, I don't prefer night driving - unless there is any emergency. Moreover, we were on the road during the day for the official work and then travelled to Multan. Anyways, got a room booked at Pace In Hotel (Abdali Road), next to Ramada Hotel (above Ideas by Gul Ahmed). It was an average place, as our stay was for 4 hours only. For such short stopover, we usually stay at 4 Acess (near Daewoo terminal).

Next morning, left multan at 5:30am with an aim to have breakfast at Rahim yar khan Daewoo terminal an reach karachi by late evening.
stopped at a tea khokha near Bahawalpur bypass where we spotted a nice bird too.
The drive was very smooth till ubaro.
New road patches are operational near engro and fauji fertilizers, in front of cadet college ghotki and short patch in khairupur area after crossing sukkur Daewoo terminal. These are extremely good and feels like sailing on smooth water. Hope that res of the work will be of same quality - Chinese engineers and local staff working day and night to complete the project.

Currently, traffic flow is affected in the following areas:
- Bridge over railway line (Rohri/Sukkur). One side closed or traffic, just be attentive to find a gap between long haul vehicles and move quickly to cross the bridge. Don't get panicked by he long queue, make and effort.
- Ghotki, Khairur-Ranipur, Moro to Hala Naka. Too many diversions, and narrow space to overtake.

We crossed hyderabad at 8:30pm then stopped at Total station for a cup of tea.

Finally reached home around 11:30 pm.

Once again, sorry to some fellow for not meeting your expectations on the part of route selection. However, hope that above details are of some help to friends.

Regards,
Sajid

[YAC_Ventura]

Subscribed

[mountainier]

Nice to know that you are back.....

bravo you took N5 during the day...it must be very taxing with the diversions and traffic from both sides....in a couple of months time will embark on a brand new road trip inshallah and will try and share the experiences of N55 with you and other KHI Pakwheelers

happy travelling

[ism1]

Very good initiative @xoofi plz. add some of your valuable comments also

[Xoofi]

Very good initiative @Xoofi plz. add some of your valuable comments also

Sir main to train main aya hoon Lahore.. last time Oct mai aya tha N5 se.. us waqt bhee yehi haal tha.. itna rush nahi mila because we traveled in night after 12 am

[RajaSajid]

at least some progress being made. we see people working on road, earlier the condition was bad and no repair work ever undertaken like they are doing now. Insha'Allah, Hyderabad to daharki will also be a smooth drive by end of 2014/early2015.

[RajaSajid]

Assalam o alaikum,
one more trip seems to be coming my way after 15 April. Programme will be finalized around 12 April, let's see if I end up travelling by air or ............. ?
Regards,
Sajid

[ism1]

this thread should not be dead @all plz. whoever roamed around Sindh in last days, they should share their experiences

[Zia1967]

Kindly update latest condition of N5 in sindh if any one travelled recently.

I asked Daewoo Karachi office they said their coaches are making Rahim Yar Khan-Karachi, both up and down in 10.5 hours with four 15 minutes stops, don't know which route they are taking.
Both Indus highway and Mehran-National highway (nawabshah-Khairpur) are not recomended by most of people due to security reasons and traffic congestions.

[Xoofi]

Kindly update latest condition of N5 in sindh if any one travelled recently.

I asked Daewoo Karachi office they said their coaches are making Rahim Yar Khan-Karachi, both up and down in 10.5 hours with four 15 minutes stops, don't know which route they are taking.
Both Indus highway and Mehran-National highway (nawabshah-Khairpur) are not recomended by most of people due to security reasons and traffic congestions.

There is no security problems on N55 and old N5 (Nawabshah-Khairpur). Just make sure to travel in day time.

[farooq05]

There is no security problems on N55 and old N5 (Nawabshah-Khairpur). Just make sure to travel in day time.

@xoofi, do these roads have double lane or single and what about CNG availability on these routes?

[Xoofi]

@Xoofi, do these roads have double lane or single and what about CNG availability on these routes?

Nawabshah-Khairpur is single. CNG is readily available (although not sure as I traveled on public transport).