The fate of Rawalpindi’s flagship Ring Road project hangs in the balance as costs surge and inspections loom
Planning and Development Board Prepares Site Visit
A team from the Punjab Planning and Development Board will soon inspect the Rawalpindi Ring Road project before approving the revised PC-I. The project’s cost has escalated to Rs53 billion.
A senior official of the Planning and Development Department told Dawn that the pre-Punjab Development Working Party (PDWP) meeting last week raised several observations on the revised PC-I.
Why the Cost Has Risen
The official cited three key reasons for the cost escalation:
- A sharp rise in construction material prices over the last three years.
- Increased width of bridges and stone-pitching work to protect the road from floods.
- Construction of toll plazas and remodeling of the Thalian Interchange on the motorway.
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) noted that the contract was awarded to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) based on 2022 prices. Since then, construction material costs have jumped 40 percent.
Board Observations and Site Visit
The Planning and Development Board made several observations on the revised PC-I. When RDA insisted on adopting the changes, the board decided to inspect the project site before final approval.
RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza said the pre-PDWP raised objections, which the authority will resolve and resubmit within a week.
Fast-Track Progress on the Ground
“The Planning and Development Board team will visit the site to check the work completed so far. This is standard practice once a project exceeds 70 percent completion,” she said.
She added that the work is on a fast track and likely to finish within the stipulated time.
Flood Protection and Interchange Remodeling
Murtaza said price escalations are routine in multibillion projects. After the board’s visit, the urgency of the changes will be clear.
She explained that flood channels were added along the Ring Road to protect it during the monsoon season. Remodeling of the Thalian Interchange was also essential.
Work on interchanges, bridges, and road asphalt is happening simultaneously to speed up completion. Additionally, RDA is establishing an industrial zone, shifting bus stands, and relocating goods vehicle stands along the Ring Road.
Project Overview
The Ring Road spans 38.3 km and will feature five interchanges at Baanth, Chak Baili Khan, Adiala Road, Chakri Road, and Thalian. An industrial zone will surround the Ring Road to boost economic activity.
Critical Analysis
This article highlights the complexity of large infrastructure projects. Rising costs are inevitable in fast-moving urban projects, especially when inflation and material price surges are involved. The Ring Road’s multiple components—interchanges, flood protection, industrial zones—reflect both ambition and urgency.
The site inspection by the Planning and Development Board is a critical step in ensuring accountability and transparency. Simultaneously, the article shows that balancing speed, cost, and safety is challenging in mega projects. The emotional hook lies in how these developments directly impact residents, urban mobility, and regional development.
Ultimately, the article demonstrates that public infrastructure is not just about construction—it reflects planning foresight, governance, and societal priorities.