The multi-billion-rupee, 38.6-kilometre Rawalpindi Ring Road project has hit another delay, putting the August 14 inauguration deadline in doubt.
According to sources, construction work on the main route of the Ring Road has been completed, but the project remains stalled due to a dispute over the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the service area.
The Lahore High Court is scheduled to hear the NOC case of the 102-kanal and 14-marla service area on July 16. Sources said the final decision regarding the project’s inauguration is now likely to depend on the court’s proceedings.
Reports indicate that six inauguration deadlines for the Ring Road project have already passed, but the project has yet to be opened to the public.
Five officials, including the former commissioner and former deputy commissioner, have already been removed from their positions in connection with the service area NOC controversy. The new Rawalpindi administration is awaiting the court’s decision and the findings of the inquiry report.
Earlier it was stated that multi-billion-rupee, 38.6-kilometre Rawalpindi Ring Road project has entered its final phase, with its official inauguration expected on August 14. Now the inauguration deadline is again facing uncertainty.
Once operational, the Rawalpindi Ring Road is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion within the city, and provide a direct link between GT Road and the motorway network, facilitating smoother movement of commuters and commercial traffic.
The project includes five major interchanges at Banth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala, Chakri, and Thallian. Although the road itself is complete, some finishing work remains, including the completion of eight toll plazas and 28 toll booths across the five interchanges, as well as renovation and landscaping at several locations.
Originally estimated to cost Rs17 billion, the Phase I project is now being completed at a revised cost of Rs46.64 billion.
Meanwhile, construction of the Thallian Broadband Interchange, a separate Rs4.8 billion project being undertaken by the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), has not yet begun. Despite this, the Ring Road has already been connected to the motorway via an alternative arrangement, allowing traffic to move without the new interchange.
In a related development, the National Highway Authority (NHA) has completed the feasibility study for Rawalpindi Ring Road Phase II, prepared by NESPAK.
Read more:
Under the proposed plan, the section beyond the Thallian Interchange will be expanded to 10 lanes (5+5) instead of the originally planned 6 lanes (3+3) to accommodate future traffic growth. Construction of Phase II is expected to begin under the NHA following the necessary approvals.
Read more: Rawalpindi-Murree-Kohala Road project progresses rapidly, 60% work completed