Budget delays hamper RR project

Initiative faces cost increases due to rising material prices and extended timelines

RAWALPINDI:

Around 40 per cent of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project has been reported complete. The project, which is considered the missing link for the traffic and economic development of Rawalpindi city was first initiated when its foundation stone was laid down during the Imran Khan government.

At the moment, with 40 per cent of its work completed, the revised PC-1 of Rs32.8 billion for the project still awaits approval from the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meetings. After being considered by the Punjab Planning and Development Wing (PND) on December 6, the forum issued a recommendation to send it to both the above-mentioned forums.

The revised PC-1 was first prepared for Rs39 billion due to the continuous delay in construction work and due to the increase in the prices of materials over time. When the higher forums were instructed to reduce the cost of the revised PC-1, it was then brought down to Rs32.8 billion. The project, which starts from Banth Mor, GT Road, and ends at the Thalian Interchange of the motorway and will stretch 38.8km, was initially projected to cost Rs26 billion.

The completion date of the project has been set for June 2025, however, even after continual delays during the past four years, more than half the work is still pending. The carpeting of the route has still not begun. There is a clear possibility that the deadline may be extended once again.

The contract for the project was awarded to the Furniture Works Organization (FWO) by the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), the executing agency of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, at the initial projected cost of Rs 26 billion. With the cost of the project now increased by another Rs12.8 billion and further increase expected due to delays, it continues to be a source of controversy.

The Rawalpindi Ring Road project has not only been under consideration during different governments for the last three decades but has also been a major financial scandal as was observed when the Imran Khan government decided to expand the project. Several officers, including a former commissioner, were arrested during that time. Later, it was decided that the project will be implemented on its route.

The project was limited to 100,000km and the issue of the project's regular contract was to be decided upon in the PDM govt. However, even now, no decision has been taken on certain important aspects such as the establishment of an economic zone on both sides of the Ring Road. This has been a joint demand of the business community of the twin cities. Sources say a final decision on the establishment of an economic zone will be taken only after the completion of Ring Road, however, no change will be made in the route.