Can Environmental Concerns Keep Pace with Development?
Hamza Rahman
Rawalpindi: After years of chronic traffic jams and congested intersections, Rawalpindi is entering a transformative phase with the Punjab government’s ambitious Rs 33 billion infrastructure initiative, designed to ease mobility for nearly two million residents and 250,000 daily commuters.
At the heart of the plan are three flagship projects: the Kachehri Flyover, the Jinnah Park flyover and underpasses, and three major underpasses along Peshawar Road. Collectively, these developments aim to turn the city into a largely signal-free corridor, offering faster, safer, and more efficient road travel.
The Kachehri Chowk remodeling, a multi-billion-rupee venture, addresses one of the city’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks. With over 60 percent of construction completed, authorities are targeting April 30 for its completion, though accelerated progress may see earlier delivery.
Complementing the effort, the Jinnah Park project integrates a Rs 1.6 billion parking plaza on previously unused land, tackling both congestion and illegal parking in one of Rawalpindi’s busiest commercial zones. Annexe Chowk and Iftikhar Janjua Road are also being upgraded to enhance connectivity across surrounding neighborhoods.
The most complex phase is underway along Peshawar Road, linking Ammar Chowk to Chungi No.26 at the Motorway entrance. Three underpasses are being constructed at Race Course Ground (Qasim Market), Army Graveyard Chowk, and Charing Cross. Heavy machinery moves steadily beneath green protective sheets, creating a continuous signal-free stretch.
The Race Course underpass, costing Rs 3.091 billion, will be a single-barrel, two-lane structure extending 1,886 feet, with nearly three kilometers of road rehabilitation. Army Graveyard Chowk and Charing Cross underpasses, at Rs 2.679 billion and Rs 2.958 billion respectively, follow similar engineering plans with road improvements and U-turn facilities to maintain GT Road access.
Beyond scale, the initiative reflects environmental awareness. Mature roadside trees were carefully relocated with roots intact, and high-transmission electricity lines were elevated onto taller poles to allow uninterrupted construction while preserving the city’s ecology.
These projects build upon earlier successes, including the GPO Underpass in Saddar and the Nawaz Sharif Flyover on Adyala Road, which have already improved urban connectivity. Meanwhile, the 38-kilometre Rawalpindi Ring Road, featuring five interchanges and multiple bridges and underpasses, is expected to divert heavy traffic away from the city center, stimulating economic activity and opening new development corridors. Completion is projected by mid-2026.
Urban planners say these upgrades signal a turning point in Rawalpindi’s approach to mobility. While congestion remains along Murree Road and other hotspots, the combination of flyovers, underpasses, and the ring road promises a more connected, commuter-friendly future.
Angle Highlight: The story emphasizes how Rawalpindi’s infrastructure drive combines modern urban planning with environmental consciousness, offering not just convenience but also ecological and economic benefits. The feature report was released by APP on February 2026.
