Rawalpindi: A long-awaited remodelling project for Kachehri Chowk, one of Rawalpindi’s busiest intersections linking the city, cantonment areas, and GT Road, is set to begin soon. Preparatory work has already started on the university side, with the official launch expected in the first week of November.
Kachehri Chowk sees over 200,000 vehicles daily, often leading to severe congestion due to multiple traffic signals at Annexy, Kachehri, and University Chowks. To address this, the project includes the construction of flyovers and underpasses stretching from Police Annex Chowk to University Chowk, aimed at ensuring smoother traffic flow across the corridor.
The City Traffic Police Rawalpindi (CTPR) has prepared a detailed diversion plan to manage traffic during construction. Once work begins, Kachehri Chowk will be completely closed for vehicles, with alternative routes designated for commuters.
According to the new plan:
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Vehicles from Rawat T-Chowk to Old Airport will travel via Bahria Town Phase-I, Gulraiz, and Bostan Khan Road to reach Car Chowk.
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Traffic from Jhelum Road to Peshawar Road, the New Islamabad Airport, or the Motorway will be diverted through Morgah Turn, Attock Oil Refinery Road, and Defence Road, continuing via the Khawaja Corporation flyover to School Road, Talha Morr, Kalma Chowk, and Bakra Mandi Road to 22 Number Chowk.
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Vehicles heading from Jhelum Road to Saddar will pass through New Lalazar, Foundation University, and Rah-e-Aman Road, exiting at COD Chowk before reaching CMH and 22 Number Chowk.
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For Murree Road-bound traffic, the route will pass through COD Turn, Nazr Chowk, Burki Chowk, Count Chowk, and Shalimar Chowk before joining Murree Road via TM Chowk.
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Traffic from the Old Airport to Murree Road will go under Rahimabad Bridge via Chohan Chowk and Rawal Road.
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Vehicles from the Old Airport to Saddar will follow Rawal Road, Tipu Road, and Marrir Chowk toward Moti Mahal Chowk and Saddar.
Return routes will also be adjusted for vehicles heading back to Jhelum Road, GT Road, and the High Court, while separate paths have been planned for VVIP movements.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Farhan Aslam stated that additional officers will be deployed at key junctions in three shifts to assist commuters. He added that traffic updates will be shared regularly through loudspeakers, social media, and local news channels.
Project background and delays
The Kachehri Chowk Remodelling Project, once touted as Pakistan’s first double underpass project, was previously terminated in 2023 due to multiple hurdles. The project, estimated at Rs6.4 billion, was halted because of high costs, land acquisition challenges, and security concerns linked to its proximity to sensitive military installations and residential areas of retired army officers.
Resistance also came from the Rawalpindi District Bar Association and several government entities — including Fatima Jinnah Women’s University, the commissioner’s office, the Civil Defence Department, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Income Tax Department — all of which refused to surrender their land. Several private property owners and petrol pump operators also opposed acquisition.
Other major road projects in progress
The Communication and Works (C&W) Department is currently overseeing several key infrastructure schemes, including:
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Nawaz Sharif Flyover at Khawaja Corporation Chowk (Rs2.3 billion) on Adiala Road.
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Mall Road Underpasses Project (Rs4.39 billion) — involving underpasses at TM Chowk and Mall Plaza Chowk, along with an underground pedestrian walkway near the Medicine Market.
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Planned flyovers and underpasses at Qasim Market Chowk and Chairing Cross Chowk, designed to create a signal-free corridor from Kachehri Chowk to the Motorway Junction once all projects are completed.
These developments are part of a broader effort to decongest Rawalpindi’s key traffic arteries and improve connectivity between urban and cantonment areas.
