Govt Pushes for Timely Completion of Rawalpindi Ring Road Project

RAWALPINDI – The Punjab government has directed authorities to ensure the completion of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project by December 25, pledging the swift release of necessary funds to accelerate construction efforts.

During an inspection of the project, officials conducted an aerial survey from Banth to Thalian to assess the progress. Authorities emphasized that the project remains a top priority for the provincial administration, with funding secured to meet the stipulated deadline.

The 38-kilometer-long Ring Road is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in Rawalpindi, offering smoother travel for millions of commuters and boosting commercial activities in the region. The project plan includes five interchanges at Banth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and Thalian, along with railway bridges, five overhead passes, and 21 underpasses.

During a project briefing, concerns were raised over the number of interchanges. Officials clarified that current policies restrict interchanges to government-owned land, excluding private housing schemes from direct access. The lack of funds was also highlighted as a challenge, to which the provincial administration responded by ensuring immediate financial support.

Deputy Project Director Ishfaq Sulheri confirmed that the government recently released Rs3 billion, bringing the total funds allocated to Rs12 billion. An additional Rs10 billion has been requested to expedite work, with Rs5 billion expected to be disbursed in the coming weeks. At present, 42% of the construction has been completed, with full completion on track for the December deadline.

The engineering aspects of the project are being supervised by the Communication and Works Department. To ensure quality control, multiple checks have been conducted by the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), NESPAK, and the Project Management Unit (PMU).

Further expansions are also under review, with the National Highway Authority (NHA) initiating efforts to widen one lane on both sides of the road from the Motorway Toll Plaza to Srinagar Highway. Additionally, feasibility studies will assess the potential use of service roads to ease congestion near the toll plaza.

With ongoing financial backing and strategic oversight, the Rawalpindi Ring Road project is poised to become a vital infrastructure development, promising long-term benefits for residents and businesses alike.