Fifth Tunnel Completed on Relocated Karakoram Highway

Dogah Tunnel breakthrough strengthens progress on Karakoram Highway relocation

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

Fifth Tunnel Completed on Relocated Karakoram Highway


The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has reached a significant milestone with the successful excavation of the Dogah Tunnel, the fifth of seven tunnels being built under Phase 1 of the relocated Karakoram Highway (KKH) project. Also referred to as the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, this critical infrastructure is being rerouted due to the ongoing construction of the Dasu Dam in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province.

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

The original route includes a 46-kilometre section set to be submerged by the dam’s reservoir, prompting a realignment of the highway over a 62-kilometre stretch. The Dogah Tunnel, now fully excavated, spans 1,242 meters and represents a vital step in boosting regional connectivity and infrastructure resilience. According to a senior project engineer, this breakthrough was achieved on July 14, adding momentum to the overall development timeline.

The remaining two tunnels in Phase 1 are expected to be excavated within the next two months. This phase—referred to as KKH-01—will serve as a bypass to avoid disruption to construction operations at the dam site. The second phase (KKH-02) will continue the relocation effort, reinforcing the strategic importance of the highway in facilitating cross-border trade and mobility between Pakistan and China.