Ring Road project's revised PC-1 okayed

The slow-moving project is scheduled to be completed in June 2025

RAWALPINDI:

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) of the federal government has approved the revised PC-1 of the Rawalpindi Ring Road (RRR) project worth Rs32.9 billion. Now the revised PC-1 will be considered in the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting.

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) project, RRR, has been scheduled for completion in June 2025, but the current pace of work is extremely slow. The Ring Road will start from Banth on the Grand Trunk Road (GT) Road and end at Thallian Motorway Interchange at a distance of 38.3 kilometres.

According to an RDA official, the much-anticipated project has seen 37% of its construction completed and the project would speed up after the approval of the revised PC-I.

The project was originally approved by the Executive Committee of the ECNEC in December 2021 for Rs23.6b, with a completion period of 36 months. Later on, the project's cost was revised to Rs26.9b on February 4, 2022. The project has seen its cost revised multiple times, reaching Rs39b, as per the latest estimates.

RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza has termed the approval of the revised PC-1 of the project from the CDWP a major milestone for the project, saying significant progress is being made on the project, including the formal commencement of girder launching on the flyovers.

This marks a major milestone in the development of this important infrastructure. The proposed ring road will cover 38.3km and will include five interchanges at Banth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road and Thallian.

After the completion of this project, the ring road will significantly reduce traffic flow and reduce the increasing traffic congestion in Rawalpindi city and will help expand the wider transportation network of the region.

"This revised plan ensures that RRR will meet the growing transportation needs of the area, improve mobility and resolve traffic issues. The commencement of girders on the flyovers is a step towards the completion of this important project," said Murtaza.

RRR is a key element of the ongoing efforts to modernise and expand infrastructure in Rawalpindi and surrounding areas. It will play a key role in the development of the city by providing seamless transportation, benefiting both local residents and commuters, the RDA DG adds.