Ring Road cost jumps to Rs50.4b

Third revised project plan includes the cost of Thalian broad-based interchange

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab Development Working Party (PDWP) has approved the third revised PC-I of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, raising its estimated cost to Rs50.4 billion.

The revised plan also includes the construction cost of the Thalian broad-based interchange. Construction of the Ring Road route under Group-I has been completed, while work on the tolling booth system under Group-II is under way. Land acquisition for the Thalian interchange under Group-III has also been completed.

The administration has formally requested Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to provide a date for the inauguration of the Ring Road.

Construction of the 38.3-kilometre route and four interchanges - GT Road Banth, Chakbeli Khan, Adiala and Chakri - has been completed in the project, which had remained pending for around 15 years.

The PDWP approved the third revised PC-I, worth Rs50.4 billion, at a meeting held in Lahore on October 12 under the chairmanship of the chairman of the Punjab Planning and Development Board.

The project's original PC-I was valued at Rs26.9 billion. The cost subsequently rose to Rs32.9 billion under the first revised PC-I and Rs46.4 billion under the second revised PC-I. The third revised PC-I has now been approved at Rs50.4 billion. Meanwhile, the tolling system under Group-II has been transferred from One Network Company to the Punjab Ring Road Authority (PRRA), which will now be responsible for its operation and maintenance.

The civil structure of the tolling booth system has been completed, while work on way stations and the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) is under way.