Ring Road misses yet another deadline

Project to become operational without Thalian interchange as progress reaches 85 per cent

RAWALPINDI:

Authorities have set a fourth deadline for operationalising the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, with the latest target fixed for the middle of June.

The road, considered a missing link in Rawalpindi's road infrastructure, will initially become operational without the completion of the broad-based Thalian interchange, which is expected to further expand connectivity once completed.

According to details, the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, whose cost has now reached Rs50 billion, stretches 38.6 kilometres from the first interchange at Banth Mor on GT Road to the motorway interchange at Thalian.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had initially set a deadline of December 30, 2025 after visiting the site, which was later revised to March 30, 2026. However, the project could not be completed.

During a review meeting chaired by the Rawalpindi commissioner on April 15, a third deadline of May 30 was announced. Now, during another review meeting chaired on May 11 by Commissioner Engineer Aamir Khattak, a new target of mid-June was set for making the ring road operational for traffic.

According to the meeting, the project's physical progress has reached 85 per cent and work is continuing rapidly under directives of the Punjab government to provide Rawalpindi with a modern traffic system and improved infrastructure.

The meeting also directed authorities to ensure an effective ban on the entry of heavy traffic into Rawalpindi city during daytime hours.

Commissioner Aamir Khattak said a proposal was under consideration to establish heavy traffic connectivity between Rawat, Chak Beli Road and GT Road so that heavy vehicles could be diverted directly to the Ring Road, reducing traffic pressure inside the city.

It was also decided that only small vehicles would be allowed for loading and unloading activities within the city, while large containers and heavy vehicles would be required to use the Ring Road.

The phased relocation of vegetable and fruit markets, bus terminals, factories, warehouses and major commercial activities to areas around the Ring Road also came under discussion.