Rawalpindi to emerge as ‘signal free corridor’

RAWALPINDI, Jun 29 (APP):The Punjab government has approved a record-breaking development package worth Rs.150.0 billion for Rawalpindi under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2025-26, marking the largest-ever investment in the city’s infrastructure.

A total of 13 transformative projects have been assigned to the Highway Division Rawalpindi for execution, reflecting Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision to modernize the city and address its chronic traffic congestion issues.

The comprehensive plan focuses on creating a signal-free corridor through construction of various underpasses and flyovers at key junctions across the city. The main GT Road from its T-Chowk while passing through the cantonment areas connects the North through Peshawar Road and motorways at one side, while from Islamabad Expressway till Kachehri Chowk on the other side, will become an uninterrupted route for tens of thousands of commuters.

Engr Raja Qamar-ul-Islam, MNA who is supervising the CM’s development project as Chairman of the District Coordination Committee, shared the financial details of the major projects with APP, saying Rs. 29.929 billion worth new schemes will change the travel discourse in Rawalpindi after becoming a ‘signal free corridor.

Giving further details, he informed that the Race Course Underpass has been allocated Rs.2.6 billion with Rs.54.0 million released in the current fiscal year, the Chairing Cross Underpass project is worth Rs.1.5 billion with 54 million rupees allocated this year. For the Army Graveyard Chowk Underpass, 1.9 billion rupees have been approved with 68 million rupees already released.

The Katchehry Chowk, the city’s main artery connecting GT Road with the interior city, and with the Federal Capital will also be remodeled as a major project.The project, which includes construction of a big flyover and underpass coupled with road widening carries a total cost of Rs. 4.45 billion with Rs.160 million  allocated in the current budget.

Jinnah Park Flyover, another big project has been approved for Rs.4.15 billion with 149 million rupees released in the first phase.

Soon after the ADP announcement by the provincial government, the vibrant local government began conducting surveys of the sites.

“We have started initial surveys and Interdepartmental coordination for the said projects during several meetings”, said Rana Qamar Ali, Executive Engineer of the Provincial Highway Department.

He said that the new schemes in Rawalpindi are the next assignments for the highway department, which, he says “aim to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow across Rawalpindi’s busiest thoroughfares”.

“The GPO Underpass and Nawaz Sharif Flyover at Adiala Road are the iconic initial projects for the citizens which will follow a series of significant connectivity with six new underpasses on Peshawar Road”, said Qamar Ali.

“The projects are expected to bring significant improvements to urban mobility in Rawalpindi”, executive engineer added.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed all concerned departments to ensure accelerated completion of these development schemes. During a recent review meeting, CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized that these projects are part of her government’s commitment to transform Rawalpindi into a model city of modern Punjab.

The CM has instructed officials to maintain strict quality standards while adhering to the prescribed timelines. The provincial government views this infrastructure upgrade as crucial for boosting economic activity in the region by improving access to business districts and reducing logistics costs for commercial enterprises.

The development package also includes several other important projects that will complement the major infrastructure works. The Iftikhar Janjua Road Underpass has been allocated Rs.1.93 billion with Rs.69.0 million rupees for the current fiscal year.

For the Ammar Chowk Flyover, 3.45 billion rupees have been approved with 124 million rupees released initially. The COD Chowk (Range Road) Underpass carries a total cost of 3.75 billion rupees with 135 million rupees allocated in the first phase. The Tulsa Road Adiala Underpass project is worth 1.69 billion rupees with 61 million rupees approved for immediate release.

The Executive Engineer confirmed APP that besides construction of six underpasses and three flyovers at critical traffic junctions which are going to significantly improve the urban mobility in the city, the projects in entire Rawalpindi Division also include rehabilitation of road from Mahil Malkan to Dhoke Baba Buland in Kalar Syedan, Widening of road from Akbar Chowk to Thalian and broadening of Marble Factory Road which serves as an alternative link road between the twice cities.

“The selection of locations for underpasses and flyovers was based on detailed studies that identified the most congested intersections including Race Course, Ammar Chowk, Jinnah Park, Katchery Chowk and Iftikhar Janjua Road currently experience daily gridlocks”, said the Executive Engineer.

Raja Qamar-ul-Islam noted that, Murree Road, once congested by bottlenecks due to public transport, has been streamlined by the Metro Bus project.

“The new bottlenecks, while traveling at the old airport road have emerged at Ammar Chowk, Katchery Chowk and Jinnah Park signal, which will become signal-free with additional flyovers benefiting traffic towards Mall Road and Adiala Road, a critical artery serving areas like Chontra and Rawat, where traffic volume has surged”, said Qamar-ul-Islam.

He highlighted that on Mall Road, while some bottlenecks like Saddar have been resolved through the recently completed GPO Underpass, issues persist at MH Hospital Chowk and onwards to Peshawar Road, necessitating further underpasses.

After these mega development projects breaking all previous records for Rawalpindi, the next target will be Chakri Road, which, Qamar-ul-Islam said “once upgraded, will further enhance connectivity and reduce traffic woes for Rawalpindi residents, ensuring smoother travel across the city”.

In a nutshell, Rawalpindi is to embrace uninterrupted and widened entry-exit and connecting arteries to emerge a signal free corridor.

The residents and businesses are expected to see substantial improvements in transportation efficiency, road safety and overall quality of life.

Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Usman Shaukat lauded the Punjab government’s allocation of Rs 150 billion for “signal-free” infrastructure upgrades in Rawalpindi.

“While the RCCI supports infrastructure development, it is essential to prioritize commuter convenience and ensure comprehensive, pedestrian-friendly, and functional design standards”, said the RCCI President.

Usman further underscored the importance of integrating “green road” initiatives that address climate concerns without disrupting traffic flow or hindering the city’s economic vitality.

There is no second opinion that the successful implementation of these projects will serve as a blueprint for similar urban development initiatives in other major cities across the province.