Rawalpindi Launches Construction of Three Key Underpasses to Tackle Urban Traffic Woes

Rawalpindi has officially broken ground on three strategically located underpasses aimed at relieving the city’s worsening traffic congestion. Spearheaded by the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), the initiative marks a significant move toward addressing long-standing mobility challenges in one of Punjab’s most densely populated urban centers.

The planned underpasses will be constructed at Kutcheri Chowk, Marrir Chowk, and Chairing Cross near Race Course Park, based on traffic volume studies and daily bottlenecks identified by the RDA and Punjab’s Communication and Works Department. These sites are critical junctions along Peshawar Road, where congestion has severely impacted commute times.

According to RDA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa, the initiative is being executed under the direction of the Punjab government and forms a key part of Rawalpindi’s broader urban development strategy. “Rawalpindi’s road network has been under immense strain for years,” Jappa stated. “These underpasses are not just engineering structures; they are essential investments in the city’s future.”

The project is backed by the Punjab Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2025–26, with a combined funding allocation of approximately Rs. 6 billion. This includes Rs. 2.6 billion for the Race Course underpass, Rs. 1.9 billion for the Kutchery Chowk underpass, and Rs. 1.5 billion for the Marrir Chowk underpass. These projects are currently in the feasibility and planning (PC-I) phase, with construction expected to begin after the monsoon season, once ongoing road works on Adiala Road and Mall Road are completed.

To reduce disruption during construction, RDA plans to implement phased execution and temporary traffic diversions. Traffic wardens will be deployed at key junctions to manage flow, and businesses in the affected areas will be kept informed of scheduling updates.

Urban development experts have long criticized the city’s delayed infrastructure planning and inconsistent project execution. Many past initiatives were launched with fanfare but fell short due to funding gaps or bureaucratic delays. However, this new push is being cautiously welcomed. “For years, Rawalpindi’s development was stuck in neutral,” said Majid Zubair, a city-based transport consultant. “If these underpasses are completed on time and to standard, they could set a new benchmark for urban transformation.”

With rising vehicle ownership, rapid population growth, and limited public transport, Rawalpindi’s outdated road infrastructure has led to daily gridlocks, excessive fuel consumption, and worsening air pollution. The new underpasses aim to address these issues by creating signal-free corridors and separating traffic flows at major choke points.

As construction preparations move forward, residents are watching closely. Success could turn this long-delayed plan into a model for infrastructure delivery in Pakistan’s secondary cities—where citizens are increasingly demanding action, not just promises.