RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has committed a sum of Rs. 8 billion for the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to construct a 22-kilometer-long signal-free corridor connecting Ammar Chowk to the motorway in the fiscal year 2023-24.
According to a senior RDA official, the decision to construct the signal-free corridor was jointly made by the district and garrison administrations.
Initially, the plan was to develop a signal-free road from Koral Chowk to Motorway Chowk via Peshawar Road. However, the plan was revised, and now the corridor will start from Ammar Chowk.
Upon completion of a formal feasibility study scheduled for July, the Punjab government will provide the allocated funds for the project.
Currently, the travel time from Kutchery and Nur Khan Airbase to Peshawar Road exceeds one hour.
However, the government aims to reduce this time to just 20 minutes through the construction of the signal-free corridor.
In addition to improving travel efficiency, the cantonment authorities plan to introduce public transportation services along the route, connecting Saddar to the motorway and IIA.
Previously, in 2017, the PML-N government in Punjab had intended to initiate a metro bus route from Kutchery Chowk to the motorway, but the project could not be implemented.
After consultations with the garrison authorities, the provincial government has now decided to commence work on the signal-free corridor.
The initial plan includes the construction of underpasses at strategic locations, such as the Mall in front of Pearl Continental Hotel, GHQ Chowk, General Post Office Chowk, and the Military Hospital Chowk. Furthermore, a flyover will be built at Ammar Chowk and Qasim Market.
Jappa also mentioned that a bus service is likely to be introduced from the garrison city to the airport.
Furthermore, the RDA has developed a new plan to create a signal-free environment at Liaquat Bagh Chowk by constructing an underpass on Murree Road in front of Liaquat Bagh.
The plan has been submitted to the Punjab government for final approval and is expected to be included in the government’s new annual development program.
Source: DAWN
