M-3 motorway (Pakistan)

The M-3 Motorway (Lahore to Abdul Hakeem Motorway) was inaugurated on 31 March 2019.[https://abbtakk.tv/en/lahore-abdul-hakeem-motorway-to-be-inaugurated-today/ Punjab Governor, Minister Murad Saeed To Inaugurate Lahore-Abdul Hakeem Motorway Today] Abb Takk TV News website, Published 31 March 2019, Retrieved 9 October 2021{{Cite web|url=https://www.politicpk.com/lahore-abdul-hakeem-motorway-inauguration-on-31-march-2019-opening-by-usman-buzdar/|title = Lahore Abdul Hakeem Motorway Inauguration on 31 March 2019 Opening by Usman Buzdar}} The M-3 Motorway merges with M-4 Motorway at Abdul Hakeem (Darkhana).

The M-3 Motorway starts at the M-2 Motorway after crossing the famous Ravi Toll Plaza in Lahore. It then goes southwest from Lahore and ends where it meets the M-4 motorway near the city of Abdul Hakim located near a small village named Darkhana.

M-3 Motorway is a 6 lane controlled access highway with 3 rest areas along the route. The full length of 'Lahore to Abdul Hakeem' section of M-3 was inaugurated on 30 March 2019 and was opened to traffic on 1 April 2019 on the full route from Lahore to Abdul Hakeem.{{Cite web|url=http://nhmp.gov.pk/?p=11268|title=National Highways & Motorway Police}}{{cite news | url=https://nation.com.pk/01-Apr-2019/lahore-abdul-hakeem-motorway-inaugurated | title=Lahore-Abdul Hakeem Motorway inaugurated | date=1 April 2019 | newspaper=The Nation (newspaper)| location=Pakistan | accessdate=12 October 2021}}

The route of M-3 Motorway runs almost parallel to River Ravi although the river might not be seen easily anywhere along this motorway.

M-3 Motorway (Lahore to Abdul Hakeem Motorway) has 3 Railway Line Bridges as follows:

1) After crossing Darkhana Toll Plaza i.e. start of M-3 Motorway (railway line coming from Khanewal, towards Shorkot Cantt & vice versa)

2) Before Pirmahal Interchange (railway line coming from Shorkot Cantt, towards Pir Mahal & vice versa)

3) Before Tandlianwala Service Area (railway line coming from Pir Mahal, towards Sheikhupura & vice versa)

The distance between Lahore to Multan is calculated to facilitate travelers as South end of M-3 Motorway doesn't provide exits/ entry to any District or Divisional Headquarter directly. For that purpose it merges with M-4 Motorway (Pindi Bhattian- Faisalabad- Multan Motorway) and the first Divisional Headquarter nearest to South end is Multan.

Lahore to Abdul Hakeem section (M-3 Motorway) = 230 km

Multan-Abdul Hakeem section (M-4 Motorway) = 103 km

Total Distance, Lahore to Multan, on M-3 + M-4 = 333 km.

The stretch of M-4 Motorway from Abdul Hakeem to Multan is built up with 4 lanes.

This is more than the previous distance of 323 km on National Highway N5, but the average driving speed was significantly less there. The speed allowed on this motorway is 120 km/h for L.T.V. & 110 km/h for H.T.V. So the time taken for traveling is significantly reduced as compared to N-5.

M-4 motorway's passes through the South of Multan city and there are 4 interchanges for Multan city:

1. Shamkot (Khanewal/ N-5) Interchange (Northeast or East of Multan): Khanewal, E-5 Expressway; Multan city & DHA Multan. WARNING: Commuters who intend to visit Multan should take the next exit (instead of exiting from this exit as Multan city is still about 40 kms from this exit and cars would need to drive on regular highway road for about 35 minutes to reach Multan city).

2. Shah Rukn-e-Alam/ Makhdoom Rasheed Interchange (South of Multan): Vehari; Multan City Lari Adda (Buses Stands & Truck Stands).

3. Shah Shams Tabrez (Bahawalpur Road/ N-5) Interchange (South of Multan): Bahawalpur & Lodhran; BCG Chowk Multan, MIKD, Multan.

4. Sher Shah Interchange (South of Multan): continues as M-5 Motorway (Multan to Sukkur Motorway) & giving exits to Shujabaad; Multan Cantt; Muzaffargarh, D.G. Khan, Sakhi Sarwar, Rakhi Gaj, Fort Munro, Loralai, Qila Saif-ullah & Quetta.

At Abdul Hakeem (Darkhana) M3 Motorway joins with the somewhat parallel M4 Motorway (Pindi Bhattian- Faisalabad- Multan Motorway) in a "Y" junction form. Analyzing "Y" when heading North from Multan (Khanewal/ Shamkot), the base/ long arm of "Y" represents Motorway (M4) coming from Multan, while the left arm of "Y" represents Motorway (M4 continuation) going towards Faisalabad, Pindi Bhattian & subsequently M4 Motorway merging with M2 Motorway (Lahore Islamabad Motorway) for way up to Islamabad & Peshawar (M1 Motorway). The right arm of "Y" shows the Motorway going towards Lahore (start of M3 Motorway).[https://www.dawn.com/news/590237/www.tupernic.com A spell of dense fog from tomorrow] Dawn (newspaper), Published 11 December 2010, Retrieved 9 October 2021

{{RJL|date=November 2021}}

1. Near Nankana Sahib interchange

2. Samundari interchange Chak 441gb

3. Phlore Near Rajana Interchange

4. Tandlianwala Service Area Near Chak No 363 G, B

1. Samundari interchange

2. Rajana interchange

3. Pir Mahal interchange

4. Darkhana road near Abdulhakim interchange near chak 17gb kake shah

• Motorways of Pakistan
• National Highways of Pakistan
• Transport in Pakistan
• National Highway Authority

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.nha.gov.pk official website of National Highway Network]

{{Pakistan Motorways}}

{{Roads in Pakistan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:M-3 Motorway (Pakistan)}}

M03

Category:Toll roads in Pakistan