Delay escalates Kachehri Chowk project cost

Sources say project faces delay due to concerns of RDA, others

Incessant delays once again have pushed the estimated cost of the Kachehri Chowk flyover, underpass, and remodeling project from Rs4.5 billion to Rs7 billion, raising serious questions about the seriousness of authorities concerned toward the execution of the vital project.

According to informed sources, the contract for the project was already awarded while a traffic management plan during the construction work was also approved. However, they said the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and other stakeholders once again expressed concerns over traffic management issues during VIP movements. “They are worried about potential traffic problems and due to this, the project has hit another snag,” sources said.

The Punjab Planning and Development Board has approved the project to make Kachehri Chowk signal-free and a new model has been developed by Nespak consultants with new modifications. Traffic going toward Jhelum Road after crossing the Kachehri Chowk will use the flyover as per the plan. Traffic coming from Jhelum Road will be diverted toward Eight Great Route and Marir Chowk and traffic going to Saddar from Jhelum Road will also have to use the new flyover. Similarly, traffic going to Saddar from Old Airport, Jhelum Road, and Marir Chowk will have to go through the underpass. Sources further said that after the completion of this project, 60 per cent of the commuters will use signal-free routes and the remaining 40 per cent has to stop at the signals.

The cost of the mega project was initially estimated to be around four and a half billion rupees but due to long delays, the cost has now reached Rs7 billion, sources informed. The change in design has also significantly reduced the need to acquire land around Kachehri Chowk, they added. With the completion of the project, the traffic flow at Kachehri Chowk will face fewer hindrances, as per officials. An Environmental and Meteorological Assessment Station will be set up near the project site to inform citizens about environmental pollution and climate change.

According to the sources, it was also decided that once the work on the Kachehri Chowk project starts, the RDA will monitor the work and alternate traffic routes will be announced to the public so that the public does not face any difficulties. The work on the project was supposed to be completed in two years, but it is already facing a delay of one year now.