Rawalpindi: The Punjab Communication and Works Department has initiated preparatory work for the construction of flyovers and underpasses at Kutchery Chowk and Jinnah Park, along with the development of retaining walls at Fatima Jinnah Women University and Jinnah Park.
The infrastructure upgrade, estimated to cost PKR 6.6 billion, aims to ease traffic congestion in key areas of Rawalpindi. The Jinnah Park underpass and flyover project is valued at PKR 5.2 billion, while the Iftikhar Janjua underpass is expected to cost PKR 2.7 billion.
Although the main construction is expected to commence in the first week of November—subject to approval from garrison authorities—the provincial highway department has already started work on building retaining walls and service roads, as well as relocating utility services.
According to officials, the Iftikhar Janjua Chowk underpass will utilise around four kanal and five marla of land, mostly from military property. For the Kutchery Chowk and Jinnah Park projects, eight kanal and two marla and five kanal and 19 marla of land, respectively, will be used.
A senior Punjab Highways official stated that the department has begun road widening and demolition of old boundary walls at Fatima Jinnah Women University and Jinnah Park. A traffic diversion plan is also being prepared in coordination with the district administration and City Traffic Police.
Traffic surveys indicate that over 131,500 vehicles pass through Kutchery Chowk daily, primarily from the old Airport Road and Jhelum Road. The department aims to complete the construction of retaining walls and service roads by November 1, after which the main construction contract with the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) will be initiated.
The official noted that the main square will likely be closed to traffic due to the complexity of the project, and that managing diversions efficiently will be crucial. Most of the required land belongs to government entities, with minimal private land acquisition involved.
Additionally, the contractor has begun verifying technical drawings, conducting surveys, and completing pile testing.
Officials further indicated that work on three more underpasses—at Race Course Park, Army Graveyard Square, and Chairing Cross on Peshawar Road—may also begin during the 2025–26 fiscal year. Once completed, the route from Ammar Chowk to the motorway is expected to become signal-free.
Executive Engineer of the Punjab Highway Department, Rana Qamar, confirmed that work on retaining walls, service roads, and drainage systems at Jinnah Park and Fatima Jinnah Women University is in progress, with main road construction scheduled to start next month.
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