Rawalpindi–Kahuta Road Expansion Added to PSDP 2025–26

Rawalpindi – The long-awaited dualization of the Rawalpindi-Kahuta Road, a key transport corridor connecting Rawalpindi with Azad Kashmir, has been formally included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the fiscal year 2025–26.

The project, with an estimated cost of PKR 23.84 billion, involves the comprehensive upgrade of a 28.4-kilometre stretch from Kacheri Chowk in Rawalpindi to Main Bazaar in Kahuta. Once completed, the dualized road is expected to cut travel time from the current two hours to just 40 minutes.

Planned developments include a four-lane overhead bridge at the Sihala Railway Gate and bypasses at both Sihala and Kahuta to streamline traffic flow and improve road safety. The National Highway Authority (NHA) will oversee execution, ensuring adherence to national infrastructure standards.

Initially approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in July 2023, the project had been awaiting funding for its implementation. Its integration into the federal development plan now clears the path for tendering and construction phases to begin.

As a crucial link for both commuters and freight traffic between Rawalpindi and Azad Kashmir, the road has long suffered from heavy congestion, poor surface conditions, and frequent accidents. Its dualization is anticipated to not only enhance connectivity and safety but also support regional development, a move widely welcomed by local communities and travelers.