The Punjab government has initiated a comprehensive urban infrastructure upgrade to alleviate chronic traffic congestion in major cities, particularly in Rawalpindi. After the successful completion of the GPO Underpass and the Nawaz Sharif Flyover, the Communication and Works (C&W) Department has now commenced preparations for three additional underpasses on Peshawar Road—a key artery for daily commuters.
New Underpasses to Ensure Signal-Free Corridor
According to senior district administration officials, the new underpasses will be constructed at:
- Race Course Park – Budget allocation: Rs 2.6 billion
- Army Graveyard – Budget allocation: Rs 1.9 billion
- Chairing Cross – Budget allocation: Rs 1.5 billion
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These projects have been included in the Punjab Annual Development Programme for 2025–26. The Project Concept-I (PC-I) documents are currently being prepared, with construction expected to begin after the monsoon season. Once PC-I approval is granted, formal construction will proceed.
In addition to these projects, there are plans for a Kutchery Chowk underpass and a flyover in front of Jinnah Park on the old airport road. While land acquisition issues have slightly delayed these two developments, officials expect that construction on both projects will begin concurrently.
Peshawar Road: Toward a Signal-Free Corridor
One of the most ambitious goals of the current Punjab administration is to make Peshawar Road a fully signal-free corridor, extending from Kutchery Chowk to Motorway Chowk. Upon completion of the planned underpasses, major choke points such as Mall Road and Peshawar Road will allow seamless vehicular movement. This will drastically reduce travel time, enhance fuel efficiency, and cut down on vehicular emissions.
The local administration has also been directed to initiate a project connecting the Islamabad Expressway to Motorway Chowk via Peshawar Road. This will serve as an alternative route to the often-congested Srinagar Highway, offering commuters additional options to navigate across the twin cities.
Broader Transport Network and Connectivity Upgrades
The current provincial government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to resolving urban traffic issues. In addition to road construction, a strong emphasis has been placed on integrated transport systems:
- Electric Bus Service: A fleet of over 100 electric buses is set to be launched in Rawalpindi. These buses will be deployed on multiple routes, including those serving the airport and motorway corridor, aligning with the signal-free route to ensure smoother and greener public transportation.
- Signal-Free Network Integration:
- The road segment from Rawat T-Chowk to Kutchery Chowk is already signal-free.
- The stretch from Pirwadhai Mor to Motorway Chowk is also signal-free.
- The remaining bottleneck—from Military Hospital to Pirwadhai Mor—will become signal-free upon completion of the new underpasses, resulting in uninterrupted traffic from Rawat to the motorway.
- Rawalpindi Ring Road: Once operational, this mega project will provide an alternative route for heavy and intercity traffic, further easing congestion on central corridors like Peshawar Road and I.J. Principal Road.
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Technical Execution and Planning
The Communication and Works Department—now the lead agency on these projects—has already initiated surveying and feasibility assessments. A consultant will be hired to complete the PC-I documents by the end of July 2025, after which tenders for construction will be floated. Previously, these infrastructure projects were under the jurisdiction of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) but were reassigned to the C&W Department for expedited execution and technical oversight.
The PC-I process includes technical and financial feasibility assessments, traffic impact analyses, environmental clearances, and design engineering. This ensures that each underpass and flyover is built not only to ease congestion but also to withstand long-term urban growth and usage stress.
With a clear focus on signal-free corridors, integrated transport planning, and modern urban mobility, the Punjab government is leading a transformative effort to overhaul traffic management in Rawalpindi and other major cities. These initiatives promise not only to ease congestion but also to reduce environmental impact, improve public transportation, and spur economic activity through improved logistics and connectivity.