RR gets another inauguration date

Toll plazas, booths and Thallian interchange remain incomplete

The Rawalpindi Ring Road Authority has postponed the inauguration ceremony of the Rawalpindi Ring Road for the ninth time and decided against announcing another date for the event.

The inauguration of the project, which is increasingly being described as a white elephant, will now be held on just 24 hours' notice. The road will, however, be opened to general traffic before its formal inauguration.

Officials who repeatedly announced inauguration dates despite the project being less than 100 per cent complete have also faced severe reprimands. Following the action, the officials have maintained silence on the matter.

One interchange of the Rawalpindi Ring Road is still not fully complete, while toll plazas, toll booths, the computerised toll collection system and weighing facilities (weigh stations) are also unfinished.

The Rawalpindi Ring Road Authority in Lahore has issued strict instructions to contractors to complete the last interchange and the entire toll collection system, including booths, by the end of the current month.

Repeated delays have further increased the estimated cost of the project. Its cost had earlier risen to Rs51.32 billion and crossed Rs52 billion again during the current week.

The Rawalpindi Ring Road project has remained pending for 24 years. Its foundation stone was laid by former prime minister Imran Khan in March 2022.