Rawalpindi: The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has finalized a PKR 470 million project for the beautification of Raja Bazaar — from Fawara Chowk to Hamilton Road (commonly known as Dingi Khoi) — and is set to present it before the Divisional Development Working Party (DDWP) on Monday for approval.
According to RMC Chief Municipal Officer Imran Ali, PKR 250 million of the total budget will be allocated for the shifting of essential services, including electricity, gas, telephone lines, water, and sewerage. The remaining PKR 220 million will be spent on beautification efforts aimed at revitalizing the historic commercial area.
As part of the utility relocation, the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) initially demanded PKR 200 million for underground cable work along the 1-kilometre stretch. However, after negotiations, the cost was reduced to PKR 180 million. Meanwhile, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) will receive PKR 30 million each for shifting their respective infrastructure. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) is expected to receive PKR 5 million for water supply line relocation.
The beautification phase will include the installation of new lampposts, benches, modern signage, dedicated washrooms for men and women, restoration of old buildings, and the planting of trees and saplings. A special traffic management plan is also being developed, with additional parking spaces under consideration. Currently, parking is available at Fawara Chowk Plaza, a vacant RMC plot, Namakmandi, and behind Ganjmandi police station near Leh Nullah, though these are said to be insufficient for daily footfall.
The RMC has also proposed a model market equipped with modern amenities to enhance the area’s appeal for tourists and shoppers.
Work was initially expected to start before Eidul Fitr but faced delays due to high infrastructure relocation costs. However, with revised utility estimates and Punjab government’s go-ahead, the project is now back on track.
While local traders expressed concerns about the road closure’s impact on goods movement, the administration has addressed these by allowing loading and unloading during early morning and late evening hours. Handcarts will also be permitted to carry goods within the pedestrian zone.
Raja Bazaar serves as a central wholesale market for Rawalpindi, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, making its upgrade a key step in improving regional commerce and urban livability.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
