Roads to Use During Rawalpindi’s Katchery Chowk Closure

News Desk 

Rawalpindi: The Punjab government has launched a major infrastructure initiative to ease chronic traffic congestion in Rawalpindi, beginning construction on three underpasses and two flyovers at key choke points — Katchery Chowk, Jinnah Park (Annexy Chowk) on Airport Road, and Iftikhar Janjua Chowk on GT Road.

Approved collectively by the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP), the projects carry an estimated total cost exceeding Rs13.33 billion and are being executed by the Frontier Works Organization (FWO). Initial piling tests are already underway near Fatima Jinnah Women University and the District Courts.

At the core of this tri-project initiative is Katchery Chowk, which handles around 200,000 vehicles daily, linking Saddar, Annexy, Rashid Minhas, and Mall Roads with G.T. Road. The Rs5.97 billion scheme includes a 1,394-foot underpass for Saddar-bound traffic from Jinnah Park (Annexy Chowk) and a four-lane divided flyover to streamline flow in both directions. Additionally, 2.97 kilometers of slip roads will be rehabilitated. Land acquisition for this section totals 24.2 kanals.

At Jinnah Park Chowk on Old Airport Road, where traffic volume exceeds 142,000 vehicles per day, a 1,263-foot underpass will facilitate movement toward Mushtaq Baig Shaheed Road, while a 1,509-foot two-lane flyover will ease congestion on Airport Road. Around 5.95 kanals of land have been acquired for the project, which also includes 2.22 kilometers of at-grade upgrades.

The Iftikhar Janjua Chowk project on G.T. Road — managing more than 146,000 vehicles daily — will feature a 1,165-foot-long, two-lane underpass for Katchery-bound traffic from Iftikhar Janjua Road and 1.56 kilometers of road rehabilitation. Approximately 4.28 kanals of land have been acquired for this section.

Punjab Highway Executive Engineer Rana Qamar Ali told APP that Rs1.5 billion had been paid for the land acquired around Katchery Chowk. He added that the flyover will facilitate traffic flow between Rashid Minhas Road, GT Road, and Marrir Chowk, while the underpasses at Jinnah Park and Katchery Chowk will provide smooth routes for Saddar-bound commuters.

The project also includes three protected U-turns at the Katchery section to ensure safer and smoother traffic flow.

To address traffic disruption during construction, the Rawalpindi Traffic Police has prepared a detailed diversion plan offering multiple alternate routes:

Traffic from Rawat T-Chowk to Old Airport will use Bahria Town Phase-I, Gulraiz Town, and Bostan Khan Road to reach Car Chowk, with an option to connect to the Islamabad Expressway via PWD Road.

Vehicles from Jhelum Road heading toward Peshawar Road, Motorway, or New Islamabad Airport will be diverted through Morgah Turn, Attock Oil Refinery Road, Defence Road, and Khawaja Corporation Flyover to Kalma Chowk and 22 Number Chowk.

For Saddar-bound traffic, the route will pass through New Lalazar, Foundation University, Rah-e-Aman Road, and COD Chowk before reaching 22 Number Chowk.

Traffic heading toward Murree Road will move via COD Turn, Nazr Chowk, Burki Chowk, and Shalimar Chowk to reach Murree Road through TM Chowk.

Vehicles from Old Airport to Murree Road will travel under Rahimabad Bridge via Rawal Road, while those bound for Saddar will use Rawal Road, Fauji Tower, Tipu Road, and Marrir Chowk to reach their destinations.

Officials said the diversion plan will be enforced as soon as the main civil works begin on the primary routes. Once completed, the mega tri-project is expected to transform Rawalpindi’s commuting landscape, providing seamless connectivity and reducing travel time across the city.