Ring Road and Kachehri Chowk projects near completion but face billions in cost overruns
RAWALPINDI:
Two state-of-the-art projects in the city, the Rawalpindi Ring Road and the Kachehri Combined Flyover and Underpass, have become white elephants for the national exchequer due to huge cost escalations and repeated deadline extensions.
The Ring Road project was inaugurated by former Prime Minister Imran Khan in April 2022 with an estimated cost of Rs 27 billion, which later increased to Rs 33 billion and has now reached Rs 53 billion.
Similarly, the district courts flyover and underpass project has seen its cost increase from Rs 6,500 crore to Rs 19,000 crore.
Officials warned that if the projects are not completed by May 31, a further increase in cost of Rs 2-3 billion is expected. Both projects are in their final stages and will initially be partially opened.
During a briefing to Commissioner Aamir Khattak it was stated that the sharp increase in prices of construction materials contributed to the increase in costs.
Completion works, including horticulture under flyover bridges, have reached 40 per cent completion, while streetlights and poles have already been installed. Decorative lighting has also begun.
The ring road, originally planned to be 38.6 kilometres, has been reduced to less than 50 kilometers and will now run from Banth to Thalian.
A second phase is planned from Thalian to the highway, the feasibility of which and preparation of PC-1 is already underway. The road will have five interchanges and six lanes, which will guarantee a signal-free traffic flow. It is expected to handle 18,000 vehicles daily.
The stretch from Banth to Thalian is likely to be inaugurated in the first week of June, while phase II, from Thalian to Sangjani Expressway, will begin in the next fiscal year, subject to funding, and will be part of the CPEC.
The combined Kachehri flyover and underpass project, the longest in Rawalpindi, is 85 per cent complete. Painting, signage, landscaping and road patching work is being carried out. A modern European-style pedestrian bridge, the largest in the city, is also under construction and is 74 percent complete.
Commissioner Khattak said the delays were due to heavy workload, Eid holidays, rains and other factors. However, he assured that both projects would be opened to the public by June 15, which would significantly relieve traffic congestion.
