Rawalpindi initiates Rs1.6 billion road upgrades and underpass construction

Rawalpindi is undergoing significant infrastructure developments, including a Rs1.6 billion road upgrade plan and a major underpass construction project on Peshawar Road.

The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has assigned nine major road rehabilitation projects, valued between Rs115 million and Rs248 million each, to the Communication and Works Department. These projects, which must be completed by December 31, cover various routes including Khyaban-I-Sir Syed Road, Bokra Road, and 5th Road. The RMC will provide the funding while the Communication and Works Department handles execution to expedite the process.

Simultaneously, construction on a mega underpass on Peshawar Road has begun, causing significant traffic concerns. Rawalpindi Chief Traffic Officer Farhan Aslam has recommended the temporary suspension of two Green Electric Bus routes—Route No 1 (Saddar Stop to Bhatta Chowk) and Route No 4 (Metro Bus Station Mareer to Motorway Chowk)—to mitigate congestion. The CTO noted that the narrow diversion routes may not safely accommodate the large buses, given that Peshawar Road handles over 135,000 vehicles per side every 24 hours.