RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government plans to study the possibility of building two underpasses at Chandani Chowk on Murree Road and Marrir Road, and a flyover on IJ Principal Road in the next fiscal year, following suggestions from local lawmakers.
According to the details, a senior official from the Housing and Urban Development Department said that lawmakers Hanif Abbasi from NA-56 and Danyal Chaudhry from NA-57 proposed these projects for their areas.
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) included the plan in the 2025–26 annual development program, with Rs40 million suggested for each project.
The official explained that a feasibility study will be done first, and the projects will start after work on The Mall and Adiala Road is finished.
The government also plans to build an underpass or flyover at Kutcheri Chowk next year. A study for the Marrir Chowk underpass will be conducted to prepare for construction after the Kutcheri Chowk project.
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The plan includes studying a single-barrel underpass at Chandani Chowk to connect Rawal Road to Murree Road and another underpass at Marrir Chowk.
These projects aim to allow smoother traffic flow from Rawal Road to Murree Road, reducing congestion, accidents, and travel time at Chandani Chowk and Marrir Chowk. The official said this could also provide an alternate route, improve the environment, and support economic activity.
For the IJ Principal Road, a study for a one-kilometer, two-lane flyover from Siddique Chowk to IJP Road is planned to ease traffic on Saidpur Road.
RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza said the government is preparing to start several development projects next year. She added that the RDA is ready to begin work once the government gives instructions, based on proposals from local lawmakers.
In other news, Earlier with The Mall closed for construction, people traveling to and from Saddar using alternate routes are facing problems due to damaged roads.
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These roads, including Kashmir Road, Adamjee Road, Haider Road, Railway Station Road, Cantonment Police Station Road, and Transit Camp Road, were dug up months ago to move utility lines underground and have not been repaired since. The situation is especially challenging in Saddar, the main commercial area.
Drivers report that many potholes make it hard to reach Saddar, causing vehicle damage and traffic jams in several spots. Public transport drivers also struggle, and some taxi drivers avoid going to Saddar altogether.
The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) recently started repair work in Saddar, but only a 1.5km section of Bank Road, from Murree Road to Cantonment Police Station Road, has been fixed. Other roads, including Haider Road, Adamjee Road, Kashmir Road, Chotta Bazaar, Babu Mohallah, and Railways Road, have not been repaired yet.
