Road expansion project okayed

The Rawalpindi Division administration has greenlit the widening of the 66-kilometer Rawalpindi-Murree-Kashmir Road at Lower Topa, Murree.

During a meeting, the Rawalpindi commissioner highlighted the urgent need for the expansion due to the road's inability to accommodate the increasing traffic volume caused by a surge in tourism and commercial activities in the area.

The project, which will be executed by the Punjab Highway Department, is estimated to cost Rs133 million and is expected to be completed within six months. The road widening is intended to eliminate the bottleneck currently causing traffic issues on the route.

During the meeting, the commissioner also reviewed the broader development agenda for the Rawalpindi Division. He noted that a total of 395 schemes, worth Rs228.823 billion, are included under the annual development programmes for the division. Of these, 274 are ongoing projects, while 121 are new schemes aimed at improving the quality of life for the residents of Rawalpindi.

The commissioner emphasised the importance of adhering to policy guidelines for ongoing development projects and ensuring that legal requirements are met. He further stressed the need for using quality materials and accelerating the pace of work to ensure timely project completion. According to him, delays in development projects cause unnecessary hardship and inconvenience to the public rather than offering relief.

The widening of the Rawalpindi-Murree-Kashmir Road is expected to ease traffic flow and enhance accessibility for both locals and tourists, contributing to the overall infrastructure development in the region.