SWAT MOTORWAY

GEOGRAPHY
The project area has tropical to subtropical climate with hot summers and
moderate winters. The maximum temperature during summer is 42 c and
minimum temperature during winter is 1c.
The rainfall usually occurs from January to March and July to September which
are considered to be the rainy seasons.
GEOLOGY OF THE AREA
The project area falls in the north eastern flank of Peshawar basin and
comprises a sequence of sedimentary to meta-sedimentary rocks ranging in
age from Precambrian through Paleozoic to early Mesozoic. The initial 60 km
area of the project passes through mainly plain area which comprised of
stream channel and alluvium deposits sand, silt and gravel. At many parts of
this stretch, there are cultivated areas. However, at project chainage 20km,
the alignment passes through an area where there are rocks called Shewa
Complex. These rocks are microgranite with intrusions of Dolerite. The next
almost 20 km stretch passes through hilly terrain mainly comprised of
graphitic phyllite and schist with calcite marble. Geologically this part area is
part of Saidu Formation. The geologic setting near Thana is Marghzar
Formation which comprised of Horneblend schist and schistose marble. At
upper part of Chakdara, theres Chakdara Orthogneiss comprised of granite
gneiss and Leucocratic biotite.
The reconnaissance study and geological condition of the area indicate that
there are vast sources of borrow and quarry materials distributed along and
near the road.
The quarry sources for asphalt and concrete works may be around areas of:
Palai (saidu Formation): There are established rock quarry sources and
sites, crushers are already producing construction aggregate material.
Thana (Marghzar Formation): There are established rock quarry sources
and sites, crushers are already producing construction aggregate material.
Shahbaz Garhi and Shewa (Shewa Complex); There may be potential
rock quarry sources for construction material.
Around Nowshera (Panjpir Formation): There are potential rock sources
for construction material.

Nizampur and Lawrencepur sand: There are vast sources of coarse sand
around Nizampur and Qibla Bandi for structural concrete works.

SEISMICITY
Major part of the project area is located in the Peshawar basin, which is close
to the contact zone between Indian plate and Kohistan Island Arc,
represented by Main Mantle Thrust (MMT). Due to movement of the Indian
plate towards north, continuous build up of stress is occurring in this area.
The release of this stress results in the form of earthquakes.
The Peshawar basin is bounded by Panjal-Khairabad Fault in the south and
Main Mantle Thrust in the north. The project region has been subjected to
severe shaking in the past due to earthquakes. A number of epicenters of
small to moderate earthquakes have been recorded around the site during
the last century which indicates that the area is seismically active. The known
main active faults near the project area are Noshera fault passes at a
distance of about 3 km south, Kund fault passes at a distance of about 10 km
south, Khairabad fault passes at a distance of about 17 km south, MBT passes
at a distance of about 37 km south from start of road (0+000) and Main
Mantle Thrust (MMT) passes at a distance of about 12 km north from end of
road (78+627) .
Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment carried out as part of the revision of
the Building Code of Pakistan Seismic Provisions (2007) shows that the
project area falls in two following Zones:
I.

Zone-2B (from 0+000 to 71+000)

with peak horizontal ground acceleration of 0.23g (ground motion with
return period of about 500 years) for soft rock foundation condition.

II.

Zone-3 (from 71+000 to 78+627)

with peak horizontal ground acceleration of 0.25g (ground motion with
return period of about 500 years) for soft rock foundation condition.

It is therefore recommended that the project structures should be designed to

cater the requirements of Zone-2B & Zone-3 of Building Code of Pakistan
Seismic Provisions (2007) after giving due consideration to the soil profile of
the site area.