Rawalpindi Ring Road Cost Rises by Rs. 6 Billion

The estimated cost of the 38-kilometre Rawalpindi Ring Road project has increased by another Rs6 billion, taking the total beyond Rs53 billion, with final costs expected to exceed Rs55 billion.

The Punjab Planning and Development Board is likely to approve the revised cost in the first week of February, after the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and the Project Management Unit submit justifications addressing the board’s objections.

Authorities have completed 80 per cent of carpeting work, and traffic has already begun using several sections of the road. Construction of a Rs5 billion Thalian interchange, linking the ring road with the motorway, is also underway.

Approved in 2004 with an initial cost of Rs17 billion, the project has seen repeated cost escalations over the years. The six-lane ring road spans 38.3 kilometres and includes five interchanges at Banth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and Thalian.

Officials have completed construction of all small and large bridges, including the railway bridge, while plantation and beautification work have begun along both sides. Authorities plan to install computerised LED lights and plant 300,000 trees and saplings across the project.

Industrial zones and commercial areas have been planned along the route, allowing construction of buildings up to 10 storeys. The formal inauguration of the Rawalpindi Ring Road is expected in the first week of May.

Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak has directed departments to complete the remaining work, activate bridges, and finalize beautification by April 30.