RAWALPINDI: A major remodelling project for Kachehri Chowk, one of the busiest intersections connecting Rawalpindi city, the cantonment area, and GT Road, is set to begin soon.
Work has already started on the University side, while the formal launch is expected in the first week of November. Over 200,000 vehicles pass through Kachehri Chowk daily, and the area often faces heavy traffic due to signals at Annexy, Kachehri, and University Chowks.
Under the new plan, flyovers and underpasses will be built from Police Annex Chowk to University Chowk. The City Traffic Police Rawalpindi has prepared a detailed plan to manage traffic flow during construction. Once work starts, Kachehri Chowk will be completely closed to traffic.
Traffic Diversions:
According to the traffic plan, vehicles from Rawat T-Chowk towards the Old Airport will use Bahria Town Phase-I and Gulraiz routes via Bostan Khan Road to reach Car Chowk.
Traffic from Jhelum Road heading towards Peshawar Road, the New Islamabad Airport, or the Motorway will be diverted through Morgah Turn and Attock Oil Refinery Road, then via Defence Road, Khawaja Corporation flyover, School Road, Talha Morr, Kalma Chowk, and Bakra Mandi Road to reach 22 Number Chowk.
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Vehicles from Jhelum Road bound for Saddar will pass through New Lalazar, Foundation University, and Rah-e-Aman Road to COD Chowk, then via CMH Emergency Gate and Family Ward to 22 Number Chowk.
Traffic from Jhelum Road to Murree Road will move through COD Turn, Nazr Chowk, Burki Chowk, Count Chowk, and Shalimar Chowk, reaching Murree Road via TM Chowk.
Vehicles from the Old Airport to Murree Road will pass under Rahimabad Bridge through Chohan Chowk and Rawal Road. Those heading from the Old Airport to Saddar will travel via Rawal Road, Fauji Tower, Tipu Road, and Marrir Chowk to reach Saddar through Moti Mahal Chowk.
Minor changes will be made for return routes to Jhelum Road, GT Road, and the High Court. Separate routes will be used for VVIP movement.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Rawalpindi Farhan Aslam said extra officers will be deployed in three shifts at key locations to assist motorists. The City Traffic Police will also provide regular traffic updates through loudspeakers, social media, and local media.
Project Delays and Past Issues
The Kachehri Chowk Remodelling Project was once promoted as Pakistan’s first double underpass project but was cancelled in 2023 due to multiple challenges.
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Sources said the high project cost and lack of land for underpasses and flyovers were major reasons for the delay. The project’s location near sensitive military installations and residences of retired army officers also prevented final approval. It also faced resistance from the Rawalpindi District Bar Association.
Several institutions, including Fatima Jinnah Women’s University, the commissioner’s office, Civil Defence Department, Ministry of Local Government, and the Income Tax Department, refused to give up their land. Some law chambers and petrol pump owners also opposed the land acquisition. The total estimated cost of the project was Rs6.4 billion.
Other Road Projects
The Communication and Works (C&W) Department is currently working on several major road projects in Rawalpindi.
These include the Rs2.3 billion Nawaz Sharif Flyover at Khawaja Corporation Chowk on Adiala Road and the Rs4.39 billion Mall Road Underpasses Project, which includes underpasses at TM Chowk and Mall Plaza Chowk, along with a pedestrian walkway near the Medicine Market.
The department has also planned flyovers and underpasses at Qasim Market Chowk and Chairing Cross Chowk. Once completed, these projects will create a signal-free corridor from Kachehri Chowk to the motorway junction, easing traffic congestion in the city.
