RAWALPINDI: According to a news report, the Rawalpindi Development Authority has finalized the alignment of the Rawalpindi Ring Road project.
The work on this project is expected to start early in 2019. A loan of $402 million has to be given by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The loan is to be approved by December 2018.
The Punjab Government has agreed to contribute $57m to the project after approving it. The road will be 55km long. The alignment of this road will start from the Channi Sher Alam Bridge on GT Road and end at the Thalian interchange on the M-2 motorway between Rawalpindi and Lahore near the Islamabad International Airport. 4 intersections will also be constructed.
According to a document released by the AIIB, this project will help alleviate congestion in the central area of Rawalpindi and it will make space and reduce travel time for non-motorized transport and public transport within the twin cities. It will also help the growth of the city towards the southwest side in a planned manner. The population will have access to quality and all-season roads.
The meeting about this project was attended by Commissioner retired Capt Saif Anjum, Deputy Commissioner Omer Jehangir, RDA Director General Rana Akbar Hayat, and other senior district administration officials.
The work on this project slowed under the PML-N government but has now begun under the PTI Government.
“This project is important for Rawalpindi as it will help ease the heavy traffic. Rawalpindi is the main city connecting the northern areas to the country’s main road network” said Deputy commissioner Omer Jehangir.
This Ring Road project is a much-needed project for the twin cities. Based on the assessment of the government, the AIIB will also provide institutional strengthening support to the project. The Islamabad Traffic Police has also recommended the construction of the Ring Road due to the hard to manage traffic flow in Islamabad.
