Rawalpindi Ring Road Project Gets Major Cost Increase
The Punjab government has revised the PC-I for the Ring Road project, increasing the estimated cost from Rs. 32 billion to Rs. 39 billion.
The revised plan will be presented to the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) for approval at its next meeting. After CDWP’s approval, it will be submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval allowing further funds to be released.
This year, the government has allocated Rs. 1 billion to the project, with Rs. 400 million released in July and an additional Rs. 600 million this month. A senior official from the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) stated that the revised PC-I addresses price variations, including Rs. 1.698 billion for work already done and Rs. 1.222 billion for price escalation, as per the Planning Commission’s guidelines.
Construction of the Ring Road has reached a significant milestone with the launch of girders on the flyovers. Work on the main railway bridge will begin soon, with Nespak and Pakistan Railways finalizing the design. The project, covering 38.3 km, will have five interchanges at Baanth, Chak Baili Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and Thalian.
The road will also feature an industrial zone and will be built for a design speed of 120 km/h with six lanes. The Ring Road project aims to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity in Rawalpindi, supporting regional economic growth.
RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza highlighted that the project must meet deadlines while maintaining high quality. She emphasized that once completed, the Ring Road will significantly enhance connectivity, benefiting the region’s growth and development.