The concerned authorities are awaiting a date from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the inauguration of the multi-billion-rupee, 38.6-kilometre Rawalpindi Ring Road project. Once the chief minister finalises the inauguration date, the long-awaited Ring Road will be opened to traffic following the ceremony.
According to media reports, the long-delayed Rawalpindi Ring Road project has seen a further increase in its overall cost. The cost of the route, excluding the installation of toll booths, has increased by Rs3.5 billion due to inflation and rising market rates.
The Punjab Ring Road Authority (PRA) has started taking control of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project in phases. Meanwhile, the sixth deadline for its completion and operationalisation has also passed. Authorities have yet to decide whether the 38.6-kilometre road should be inaugurated before or after the completion of the toll booths.
The 38.6-kilometre route, stretching from the GT Road Banth Interchange to the Thalian Interchange and connecting to the Motorway, has been completed, including four interchanges. However, work on the toll booths is currently in its final stage.
At present, the authorities are waiting for Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to provide a date for the inauguration. If the chief minister gives the project inauguration time, the Rawalpindi Ring Road will be opened to traffic following the ceremony.
The total cost of the Ring Road project has now reached Rs46.64 billion. Four of the five planned interchanges, Banth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala and Chakri have been completed. The fifth interchange at Thalian is being constructed as a broadband interchange under a new design.
Before the inauguration, the Ring Road is being handed over to the Punjab Ring Road Authority in phases. The 38.6-kilometre route includes its first interchange at Banth Mor on GT Road, followed by interchanges at Chak Beli Khan, Adiala and Chakri. According to sources, a proposal to inaugurate the Ring Road after completion of the toll booths was presented at a meeting of the relevant departments.
On the other hand, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Salman Ghani, along with the Secretary of Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering, visited the Rawalpindi Ring Road project to review the ongoing construction work, overall progress and remaining works. Officers from all relevant departments were also present during the visit.
The commissioner was given a detailed briefing on the progress of the project. Officials briefed him on the completed works as well as the remaining construction activities. According to the briefing, 99 per cent of the main carriageway of the Ring Road project has been completed. The commissioner directed the relevant authorities to complete the remaining works, including drains, retaining walls and interchange ramps on a priority basis.