Rawalpindi Ring Road project faces budget and timeline challenges

The Rawalpindi Ring Road project, a key infrastructure initiative in the city's development, has reached a completion milestone of 29%. Originally budgeted at Rs26 billion, the project's current estimated cost has risen to Rs32.9 billion due to necessary enhancements and escalating expenses. These improvements, including new earthwork culverts and adjustments for inflation-related material price hikes, have been carefully evaluated and are awaiting final approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

Spanning 38.8 km from Banth GT Road to the Thalian Interchange of the Motorway, the Rawalpindi Ring Road is crucial for regional connectivity. Despite facing delays, authorities are now targeting a completion date of June 2025. The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) entrusted the project to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) at an initial cost of Rs26 billion, which has since increased to Rs44 billion due to unforeseen circumstances.

With a history spanning three decades, the project has encountered challenges across different administrations, including a financial scandal during expansion that led to arrests. Despite these setbacks, efforts are underway to expedite progress and meet the upcoming deadline. Discussions about an economic zone along the Ring Road are ongoing, with plans to finalize arrangements by June 2025, aligning infrastructure development with economic growth prospects.

The Rawalpindi Ring Road project, though facing hurdles, remains a critical endeavor for the city's advancement. With revised budgets and timelines, stakeholders are committed to overcoming obstacles and delivering a vital infrastructure link for the region. As the project moves towards completion, the potential for economic growth and development along the Ring Road presents promising opportunities for the future.