The Punjab Development Working Party (PDWP) has approved the third revised PC-I for the Rawalpindi Ring Road project, increasing its estimated cost to Rs50.4 billion. The revised plan also incorporates the construction cost of the Thalian broad-based interchange.
The 38.3-kilometre Ring Road, which had remained stalled for around 15 years, has now been completed along with four interchanges at GT Road Banth, Chakbeli Khan, Adiala and Chakri. The administration has formally requested Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to announce a date for the project’s inauguration.
The revised PC-I was approved at a meeting held in Lahore on October 12 under the chairmanship of the Punjab Planning and Development Board. The project’s estimated cost has risen significantly from its original allocation of Rs26.9 billion. It subsequently increased to Rs32.9 billion under the first revised PC-I and Rs46.4 billion under the second revision before reaching Rs50.4 billion in the latest approval.
The project has been divided into three groups covering road construction, the tolling booth system and land acquisition for the Thalian interchange. Construction of the main route under Group-I has been completed, while land acquisition for the interchange under Group-III has also been finalised.
Meanwhile, responsibility for the tolling system under Group-II has been transferred from One Network Company to the Punjab Ring Road Authority (PRRA), which will oversee its operation and maintenance. Although the civil structure of the tolling booths has been completed, work on way stations and the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) is still in progress.
The revised approval marks another development in the long-delayed infrastructure project, which is expected to improve road connectivity around Rawalpindi and facilitate traffic movement between major routes. The inauguration date has yet to be announced.
