Six new underpasses, flyovers on cards
Six new underpass and flyover projects have been included in Rawalpindi district's development plan for the fiscal year 202526.
According to sources, funds have been formally allocated for feasibility studies and PC-1 documentation. Some of these projects will be entirely signal-free and will feature modern, state-of-the-art beautification, to be overseen by the Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonment boards as well as the Parks and Horticulture Authority.
Once completed, the projects are expected to make 90 per cent of traffic flow through cantonment areas signal-free.
The Race Course Underpass is estimated to cost Rs2.6 billion, with Rs94 million earmarked for its initial phase. The Jinnah Park Flyover has a projected cost of Rs4.15 billion, and Rs149 million have been allocated for preparatory work.
The Amar Chowk Flyover will cost Rs3.45 billion, with Rs124 million set aside. Chairing Cross Underpass is estimated at Rs1.5 billion, with Rs54 million allocated.
The proposed cost for the Fauji Qabristan Chowk (Peshawar Road) Underpass is Rs1.9 billion, with Rs68 million reserved. The largest and most congested project, the District Kutchery Chowk Underpass and Road Widening, is projected at Rs4.45 billion, with Rs160 million allocated for its initial phase. The Iftikhar Janjua Road Underpass is estimated at Rs1.93 billion, with Rs69 million allocated.
The District Bar Association has raised strong objections to the Kutchery Chowk project. Bar Secretary Malik Asad Mehmood warned of resistance if lawyers' chambers are dismantled. He urged the administration to share the project plans and consult with the bar before moving forward.
The project also affects buildings belonging to the Civil Defence Department, Ministry of Local Government, and Police Department, along with boundary walls of Fatima Jinnah Women University and the Income Tax Office. Due to disputes between government departments and the District Bar, this state-of-the-art project has remained stalled for the past five years, leading to steadily rising costs.
MNA Engineer Qamarul Islam, convener of the District Development Committee, stated that the new fiscal year will mark a major development phase for Rawalpindi. He added that work on all the approved projects will begin within three to five months and will be completed and functional by June 30, 2026.
Daducha Dam feasibility
The contract for preparing the PC-II feasibility study for the Daducha Dam project has been awarded. Once completed, the project will supply Rawalpindi with an additional 35 million gallons of water per day, significantly addressing the city's water shortage.
According to the sources, consulting firm Usmani & Co. has been awarded the contract at a cost of Rs42.8 million. The firm is tasked with determining the project's total cost and land acquisition requirements within six months, said the sources, adding that Rs48 million were allocated for the feasibility study, but out of three bidding firms, Usmani & Co.'s bid of Rs42.8 million was accepted.
WASA Managing Director, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, said that the Daducha Dam is a very important project that will significantly enhance Rawalpindi's water supply.