ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has requested the National Highway Authority (NHA) not to connect the proposed Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway (KRM) at the T. Chowk Rawat junction of GT Road.
“Intercity traffic from Sialkot, Lahore, Kharian, and other cities traveling to Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), northern districts, Murree, and Kashmir will directly reach Islamabad via Islamabad Highway, and its direct connectivity with KRMP would enhance traffic strain on the highway,” said the CDA in a letter.
Furthermore, a considerable number of housing societies are located along the proposed route, and thousands of vehicles enter Islamabad every day, making it extremely congested.
According to officials, if KRM is linked at T. Chowk, not only Islamabad Highway but also other routes in the capital will encounter increased traffic.
The letter further added that “Islamabad Highway is an urban route, and a direct link with it will increase traffic pressure.”
The Punjab government intends to build a Ring Road around Rawalpindi, which will intersect GT Road near the Rawat Radio Transceiver Station.
In this area, the CDA is also planning a bypass that will connect GT Road to Murree Road.
Traffic heading to KP, northern districts, Peshawar, Murree, and Kashmir will be redirected to the Ring Road, bypassing the capital city.
“In light of the aforementioned facts, it is urged that NHA connect the proposed motorway with GT Road at the Rawalpindi Ring Road intersection,” the letter said.
It will not necessitate any changes to Islamabad’s master plan or create any traffic issues for the twin cities, according to the letter.
