Kachehry Chowk project cost rises to Rs19 billion amid delay
The District Kachehry project in Rawalpindi has risen from Rs16 billion to Rs19 billion due to higher material costs and has been delayed by 30 days. Officials say work is 76 per cent complete and must finish by May 30.
RAWALPINDI: The cost of the District Kachehry underpass, overhead bridge and pedestrian bridges project has increased from Rs16 billion to Rs19 billion, with officials attributing the rise to sharp increases in the prices of construction materials, including cement, sand and steel.
The project has also been pushed back by 30 days after Eid holidays and heavy rains over the past three weeks affected the pace of work. It had originally been scheduled for completion on April 30, but is now expected to be finished by May 30 or 31. Preparations for the inauguration have been stopped.
Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak has taken notice of the delay and directed the relevant authorities to complete the work without any further extension beyond May 30.
The scheme has also affected access to the district courts area. The 200-year-old main gate of the district courts, along with adjoining routes used by NAB, anti-corruption, narcotics, customs, special courts and labour courts, has been closed because of the project.
The closure has triggered protests by judges, court staff and lawyers. District administration officials said reopening the gate was not within their powers, while the alternative routes were considered unsafe, leading to the matter being taken to the High Court.
Authorities cited security concerns, saying that if access was restored, fast-moving official vehicles could face risks.