Pindi signal-free corridor plan scaled down

RAWALPINDI:

The number of underpasses planned under the Rawalpindi Mall Road signal-free corridor project has been reduced from three to two, with the costs of the Race Course and Charing Cross underpasses revised upwards.

The proposed underpass at Army Graveyard Chowk has been dropped from the scheme, bringing down the overall project cost. The revised project is scheduled to be completed by the end of November.

The cost of the Race Course Underpass has increased by more than Rs1.36 billion, rising from Rs3.09b to Rs4.459b, while the cost of the Charing Cross Underpass has also increased by more than Rs901.6 million, from Rs2.58b to Rs3.49b. Sources said a decision had been taken to remove the underpass at Army Graveyard Chowk from the project, reducing the overall cost by Rs1.0842b.

Army Graveyard Chowk has been linked to Peshawar Road through Double Road, while the chowk has been remodelled to improve traffic flow. The revised project cost was approved at a meeting of the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP).

According to C&W sources, abandoning the underpass at Graveyard Chowk has not only reduced the project cost but also enabled the expansion of the intersection, providing signal-free right of way for traffic heading towards Peshawar.

After the construction of underpasses and flyovers at Kachehri Chowk, now known as Maarka-e-Haq Square, as well as the earlier completion of underpasses at Saddar TMA Chowk and KPO Chowk, completion of the Race Course and Charing Cross underpasses on Peshawar Road will provide a signal-free corridor from Motorway Chowk to Chungi No 2.