RAWALPINDI:
Almost 50% of the Rawalpindi Ring Road (RRR) project has so far been completed and construction work has accelerated to meet the December 2025 deadline set by the chief minister of Punjab.
The revised PC-1 worth Rs33 billion has been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). The total length of the RRR will be 38.3 kilometers. However, a final decision has yet to be made regarding the establishment of an economic zone along the road.
The key road project starts near Baanth Mor, Rawat, on GT Road and will culminate at the Thalian Interchange on the Motorway. The route includes the construction of five interchanges, two river bridges, seven stormwater bridges, one railway bridge, 11 overpasses, 10 underpasses, and 53 culverts.
The project is being executed under the supervision of the Project Management Unit (PMU), established by the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), and the contractor firm is the Frontier Works Organization (FWO).
The five interchanges are being constructed at Baanth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and Thalian. Although there have been continuous demands from the Rawalpindi and Islamabad Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as local business communities, to establish economic zones along both sides of the Ring Road, the proposal has not yet received formal approval.
It is worth noting that the RRR is considered a “missing link” in the city’s road infrastructure. With increasing traffic congestion on GT Road and inner city routes, the road is seen as the only viable alternative for diverting heavy traffic.
The road is also expected to contribute to economic development through the proposed economic zones and help reduce environmental pollution. Furthermore, it will significantly reduce road accidents and ensure smoother and uninterrupted traffic flow.
Director General of RDA, Kinza Murtaza, confirmed that the revised PC-1 of Rs33b has been approved, funds are available, and the project’s progress is being monitored daily.
