The government has decided to shift all 44 public transport hubs of Twin-cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad to the Ring Road Rawalpindi in order to ease traffic congestion and reorganising urban transport. The decision also includes the relocation of all goods transport hubs as well as Federal Capital Islamabad vegetable and fruit market.
The historic General Bus Stand at Pirwadhi, which was shifted from historic Liaquat Bagh in 1975 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, will now come under the full ownership of the Punjab government. Pirwadhi will be redeveloped as a central hub for inter-district, inner-city Rawalpindi and Islamabad route vehicles, from where commuters will be able to access all parts of Rawalpindi.
Under the plan, heavy transport will be completely barred from entering Rawalpindi city. Officials confirmed that any heavy vehicle attempting to enter the city will be stopped, marking a complete ban on such traffic within city limits.
Local buses from Pirwadhi will operate towards Islamabad, with a fixed fare. Transport coming from Peshawar will be provided a base near Islamabad International Airport, while transport arriving from Punjab districts will be routed directly to the Ring Road. Traffic from Azad Kashmir will be stopped near Bhara Kahu after entering via Murree, whereas transport from other districts currently stopping at Rawat will also be shifted to the Ring Road.
Officials clarified that Ring Road being completed from Rawat to the new Islamabad Airport is a separate project from the Islamabad Ring Road connecting the airport to Bhara Kahu. Once operational, traffic from Bhara Kahu will also be redirected towards Rawat.
The plan also includes the shifting of major hubs such as Faizabad and 26 Num Chungi. From the Ring Road terminals, government buses, wagons and other public transport vehicles will operate services to the inner city.
It is noteworthy that the project was originally approved in 2004 by former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi but faced repeated delays over the years. Authorities now say that the plan will be fully implemented as soon as the Rawat-to-airport section of the Ring Road is completed.
