RAWALPINDI: Construction work on the Rs14 billion Kutchery Chowk remodelling project began on Monday (November 3, 2025) after authorities approved the complete closure of the busy intersection for all kinds of traffic and announced a detailed traffic diversion plan.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Farhan Aslam told reporters that the project includes three flyovers and three underpasses to ease traffic congestion in one of Rawalpindi’s busiest areas. He said the work is expected to be completed within eight to ten months, after which Peshawar Road will become signal-free up to Chungi No. 26.
According to the CTO, more than 200,000 vehicles pass through Kutchery Chowk every day, and special alternative routes have been arranged to ensure smooth traffic flow.
He urged citizens to cooperate with traffic police, saying it will be a major challenge to manage movement during the construction phase. Panaflex signboards displaying alternative routes have already been installed at key points.
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Executive Engineer, Punjab Highway Authority, Rana Qamar Ali, said that Rs1.5 billion has been paid for land acquired around Kutchery Chowk.
The Punjab government has also released Rs2 billion for the project, while the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) has been awarded the contract. Work on the three major road structures will continue simultaneously and is expected to be completed within six months.
Under the project plan, a flyover and an underpass will be built at Kutchery Chowk at a cost of Rs6.6 billion. Another underpass and flyover will be constructed in front of Jinnah Park for Rs5.2 billion, while an additional underpass on Iftikhar Janjua Road will cost Rs2.7 billion.
Punjab Highway Subdivisional Officer Masab Ali said the district administration has started cordoning off the site from Iftikhar Janjua Chowk to Annexe Chowk in front of Jinnah Park. He added that pile testing and soil testing have been completed, while land marking and shifting of utility services are underway.
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Land belonging to Fatima Jinnah Women University and Jinnah Park has also been acquired, and construction of boundary walls began last week. The contractor has completed preliminary preparations and will fully mobilise machinery within days.
Officials said that Bostan Khan Road — the main alternative route for vehicles traveling from Rawat towards the old airport and Raja Bazaar — is in poor condition, along with several other diversion roads damaged during the monsoon. The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has yet to carry out repairs or patchwork.
Meanwhile, many daily commuters have expressed concern over traffic jams and inconvenience during the project, as the main intersection will remain closed throughout the construction period.
Kutchery Chowk Traffic Diversion Plan:
The City Traffic Police (CTP) has introduced a detailed traffic diversion plan to handle the expected pressure from over 250,000 vehicles that pass through the chowk daily.
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Traffic from Rawat T-Chowk going to the old airport will use Bahria Town Phase-I and Gulraiz routes via Bostan Khan Road to reach Car Chowk.
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Vehicles from Jhelum Road heading to Peshawar Road, Islamabad Airport or the motorway will be diverted through Morgah Turn and Attock Oil Refinery Road, then via Defence Road, Khawaja Corporation Flyover, Talha Mor, Kalma Chowk and Bakra Mandi Road to reach 22 Number Chowk.
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Traffic from Jhelum Road to Saddar will pass through New Lalazar, Foundation University and Rah-i-Aman Road, exiting at COD Chowk before reaching 22 Number Chowk.
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Vehicles from Jhelum Road to Murree Road will take the COD Turn, Nazar Chowk, Burki Chowk, Count Chowk, and Shalimar Chowk, then reach Murree Road via TM Chowk.
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Traffic from the Old Airport Road to Murree Road will use Rahimabad Bridge, Chohan Chowk, and Rawal Road to reach Chandi Chowk.
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Vehicles from the Old Airport Road to Saddar will move through Rawal Road, Fauji Tower, Tipu Road, and Marrir Chowk to reach Moti Mahal Chowk and Saddar.
Separate routes have also been set for VVIP movement, and additional traffic police officers will be deployed in three shifts to assist commuters, the CTO added.
Once completed, officials say, the Kutchery Chowk remodelling project will significantly improve traffic flow and reduce travel time between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
