Ring Road work may start shortly: minister

Signal-free corridor likely to be completed by 2023

RAWALPINDI: The relaxation for the construction industry has paved way for resumption of work on Rawalpindi Ring Road project.

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has decided to start work on the project after the ban on construction and interrelated industries has been lifted by the federal government, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said talking to The Express Tribune on Saturday.

Having his home constituency in the Rawalpindi division, Sarwar remain ambitious in development of the city. He said that the Ring Road signal free corridor would stretch on some 64 kilometres (kms), instead of 30 kms decided earlier.

Around half of the road from Rawat to the Thaliyan Interchange will fall in Rawalpindi while the remaining part will pass through Islamabad, covering Shah Allah Ditta, Siri Saral, Margalla Road, Kohsar, F-series sectors, Bhara Kahu, and Kallar Sayedan before looping back to the starting point at Rawat in Rawalpindi.

Sarwar said that Ring Road project will start at Chhan Bridge and end at the starting point after looping between the twin cities.

Terming it a megaproject, the minister said that it was no longer just a ring road for the garrison city, rather it will be a longer corridor between Islamabad and Rawalpindi which will cost Rs100 billion.

The minister said the fruits of this project will not remain limited to the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi but will benefit the entire country.

He added that it will take around two years to complete the project.

According to the documents seen by The Express Tribune, the work on the project would be completed by 2023. A large part of road would be flanked by commercial sites. Along with the commercial activity along with it, separate zones have been earmarked for setting up industries, health and education facilities.

An area of 300 acres has been earmarked for the construction of a hospital while 700 acres have been allocated for establishing educational institutions including a technical college. Moreover, a housing society under prime minister housing project would also be established along the Ring Road.

Rawalpindi Ring Road project will help reduce traffic issues in the twin cities as it will facilitate the movement of some 50,000 vehicles daily besides fighting environmental pollution.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2020.