Mega uplift plan rolled out for Pindi

Plan focused on road infrastructure, healthcare and green electric buses

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab government has activated a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure daily progress on a historic mega plan worth over Rs50 billion aimed at completing ongoing projects and launching new ones in Rawalpindi during 2026.

Similar to other districts of the province, the plan focuses on road infrastructure, water supply and the health sector. Under the system, the Punjab Chief Minister's House is provided with daily updates on the progress of each project.

After the completion of the Nawaz Sharif Flyover, Khawaja Corporation Chowk on Adiala Road, Saddar GPO Chowk and TM Chowk underpasses last year, work on the Katchery Chowk remodelling project — comprising two flyovers and three underpasses — which has been underway since November 3 last year, will be completed by April 30 this year.

On Peshawar Road, construction of three underpasses at Race Course, Qabristan Chowk and Charing Cross Chowk will begin in February and be completed by May.

Following completion, a signal-free corridor will be available from Katchery Chowk to Chungi 26 Motorway Chowk, facilitating smooth travel for commuters heading towards Islamabad International Airport and onwards to Lahore and Peshawar via the motorway.

On the directives of the Punjab government, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has planned several initiatives for this year, including the expansion of Murree Road from Liaquat Bagh to Faizabad by 20 feet on both sides, construction of four parking plazas, and the building of a new underpass beneath the flyover on Ninth Avenue between Rawalpindi and Islamabad to establish a signal-free corridor.

Planning has also been completed to carry out beautification, improvement and upgradation projects on a pilot basis in four of RDA's thirteen housing schemes.

Meanwhile, 80 per cent work on the Rawalpindi Ring Road project — which will serve as a new road link and economic corridor from GT Road Banth to Thalian Motorway Interchange — has been completed and the project is scheduled for completion in March 2026. A proposal for construction of a new flyover at Ammar Shaheed Chowk during the current year has also been sent to the Punjab government.

Alongside road infrastructure, the pilot project of the Green Electric Bus Service operating on four routes will be expanded to cover all routes and link all tehsil headquarters of Rawalpindi district. Under this expansion, 87 green electric buses will be operational across the district. In the health sector, the Chief Minister's Inspection Team is currently compiling an assessment report on the existing healthcare facilities in all hospitals of Rawalpindi.

Following this, five hospitals in the city will be upgraded in phases under a healthcare network.

Significant progress is also underway on water supply projects. Under the Chahan Dam Dream Project, an additional 12 million gallons per day (MGD) will be supplied, while projects are in progress to provide 5 MGD from Rawal and Khanpur dams and 35 MGD from Daducha Dam.

Work is also ongoing on the construction of Chara Dam and its water supply project in Chara area of the federal capital Islamabad. For feasibility studies of water treatment plants and main lines under WASA, funds worth Rs80 million have been approved.