Military’s Security Concerns Prompt Changes to Rawalpindi’s Katchery Chowk Project
In response to “security concerns,” the Rawalpindi administration has made the decision to modify the Kutchery Chowk project, originally designed to alleviate traffic congestion at the busy intersection.
The project, initially estimated at Rs. 6.4 billion, including the construction of an overhead bridge and an underpass.
However, these structures have been removed from the plan due to the expressed security concerns from the garrison authorities.
Rawalpindi Commissioner, Liaquat Ali Chattha, visited the project site on Monday and confirmed that the project would proceed with changes.
He stated that the construction of the flyover and underpass would be dropped due to security concerns, and instead, the focus would be on widening the roads to improve traffic flow.
The proposed signal-free corridor will stretch from Ammar Chowk to the Motorway Chowk, with the expansion of Kutchery Chowk aiming to ease traffic congestion at the main square.
Commissioner Chattha mentioned that the revised plan would reduce the project’s cost, and the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has been tasked with developing a new plan in the coming days.
Under the new plan, an additional 170 marla of land will be required compared to the initial estimate of 80 marla.
Various departments, including Fatima Jinnah Women’s University, the commissioner’s office, and income tax offices, were initially expected to surrender their land for the project.
The revised plan also focuses on adding extra lanes to the existing track and constructing service roads, and footpaths.
Besides, the traffic police have been instructed to devise a plan to ensure smooth traffic flow during the expansion of the main square.
Earlier, the provincial government allocated Rs. 1 billion for the project, but the RDA returned the funds in June.
The RDA had awarded the remodeling contract to the Frontier Works Organization (FWO), which had submitted a traffic plan to ensure minimal disruption.
However, the project faced delays due to the apprehensions expressed by the garrison authorities.
The original project design included the construction of a two-lane flyover for Rawat to Saddar-bound traffic, another two-lane flyover for Marrir to Rawat-bound traffic, and a two-lane exit ramp for Rawat to Airport-bound traffic.
Additionally, a 2+2 lane underpass for Airport to Saddar-bound traffic and an underpass for Iftikhar Janjua Road to Airport-bound traffic was planned.
However, these features have been removed, and the focus is now on adding extra lanes to the existing tracks.