Multibillion-rupee road projects near completion

Construction on two key road infrastructure projects worth over Rs6.5 billion in Rawalpindi is 80 per cent complete.

The projects include the Nawaz Sharif Flyover at Khawaja Corporation Chowk and the Mal Road underpasses at TM Chowk and Mall Plaza Chowk.

According to officials, the completion of these projects is crucial to improving traffic flow in the city, with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz setting a deadline of May 31 for their full completion. Efforts are underway to ensure that both projects are finished and opened to traffic by the given deadline.

The Communication and Works (C\&W) Department is overseeing the construction of the Nawaz Sharif Flyover at Khawaja Corporation Chowk on Adiala Road, which is valued at Rs2.3 billion.

The road infrastructure upgrade, being carried out by the FWO contractor firm under the consultancy of Nespak, has reached 80 per cent completion.

Similarly, the Mal Road underpasses project, worth Rs4.39 billion, involves the construction of underpasses at TM Chowk and Mall Plaza Chowk to eliminate traffic signals, as well as the construction of an underground pedestrian walkway near the Medicine Market.

Both projects are expected to ease traffic congestion in Rawalpindi, and work continues day and night to meet the May 31 deadline.

Additionally, the C&W department is planning the construction of flyovers and underpasses at Kacheri Chowk, Qasim Market Chowk, and Chairing Cross Chowk, which will further streamline traffic along Mal Road and Peshawar Road.

Once completed, these projects will create a signal-free route from Kacheri Chowk to the motorway junction.